Here's a back-story I learned on the heels of that alleged rape that shines a pretty positive light on how Butch Jones handled this deal behind the scenes. I do believe that something happened between Drae Bowles and a few teammates. They were steamed that he aided the alleged victim in getting involved in this. Before you pass judgment on these kids that did anything to Bowles, understand that a football team is the ultimate in group think at times and these young guys don't always make the best decisions when it comes to protecting fellow teammates. We've seen enough to know this is true at all major colleges and even some professional teams.


I do believe something happened with Bowles and a couple of guys because we learned from a couple of sources that shortly after the incident (a few days) Butch Jones called a team meeting and announced that HE was instituting a hedge of protection around Drae Bowles. The message was if you so much as say something to him from this moment forward you will be dealt with and you won't be here. This served to calm down the situation and the spirit of retaliation abated with regards to Bowles. Here's the story in the Tennessean. It's certainly not pretty, but I thought you would like to hear the back story. At least Butch Jones showed some great leadership in a really tough spot. If he lets those guys go, who knows what could've happened? Link








One final note from the Auburn game when the Pearls came to town. So, (I hate people that begin a sentence with so) the game is over the other night, and Auburn goes into the locker room and Steven F'in Pearl comes out of the locker room ranting and raving and raising a commotion over the fact that "Bruce wasn't introduced over the loud speaker before the game." Well, Rick Barnes is all about keeping the focus off the coaches and on the players, so it's his policy NOT to be introduced pre-game. In a way, this is refreshing. Barnes is certainly a soft seller compared to BP and his way of doing things. That Steven Pearl had the presence of mind to attempt to make an issue at out of this after his team got drilled is telling.


I was told by two sources that eventually his own SID had to shut him down and explain to him that NO COACH gets their name announced over the loudspeaker in TBA. Steven F-in Pearl used to brag back in the day that he was Steven F'in Pearl and he ran this town. Now he can't even get his Dad's name said over the loud speaker in Thompson Boling Arena. Talk about how the once mighty have fallen. Steven F-in Pearl.....Fight on man....Fight on....


Speaking of Rick Barnes laid back nature, I had the pleasure of visiting with college basketball recruiting/hoops expert Jerry Meyer of 24/7 sports yesterday on the show about UT's recruiting. Myer is always candid and thought provoking while never pumping sunshine. He's a great guest for this reason. I started to pump him for information about where Tennessee stood for some Spring signee prospects, and he stopped me mid-stream and said, "I don't have much on Tennessee and where they stand with players. Truth is nobody does. That's why you don't read about much about what they are doing. A lot of times mid-major staffs will keep their cards close to their vest because they don't want the big boys swooping in and stealing a player. This staff at Tennessee is very old school with the way they do things, as far as getting the word out on who they're involved with recruiting."


When I asked him for his thoughts on the start Barnes has had both on the court and on the recruiting trail, Meyer said, "To be honest with you, it's been almost the opposite of what I thought would happen. Barnes has really done a nice job of coaching this team and helping kids get better, while his recruiting hasn't been to the level I was expecting.' I think there's a lot of truth to what Meyer said. One more observation on Barnes from Meyer: "When you're winning you can get away with keeping the fans in the dark as far as recruiting goes, but when you're not sometimes a fan base will think that no news means you aren't doing much on the recruiting trail."






I think we know by now that Rick Barnes is going to be Rick Barnes. Juxtapose his approach with that of Butch Jones. Jones and his staff are masterful in the way they use the recruiting sites. These guys know the drill as far as getting their message out. The new school says control the message or the message controls you. I believe these days that perception is reality. My perception of Barnes and staff is that I would like them more active on the recruiting trail. I don't think I'm alone in this. Perhaps if they shared what they were doing a little more liberally I wouldn't feel so concerned. As it is, no news isn't necessarily good news. Make sense?





If you missed yesterday's show, we only captured one hour of the fun because of a power outage at the Ray Mears Studio. Thank God for our generator. It's a shame we only captured an hour because Dr Sean Sinclair, DDS, Maryville was absolutely en fuego talking about the level of in-state prospects for the 2017 class. Exciting stuff. Further proof that the Geophysical Year of The Vols is upon us and alive and well. In fact, if Cinco proves correct we could be in for the Geophysical Decade of The Vols.




Music just isn't what it used to be. Bring back the 80's. Look at these guys I think. Link




Got a special treat for you today in hour #2 as former Vol legacy Cameron Mayo will be in the Ray Mears Studio with me. You will want to hear his inspiring story. Amazing stuff.




RIP Dr Joe Marrota. A man with a heart for thousands. Helped so many people with Medicus Christi. I'm a better man for having known and been inspired by Dr Marotta and the work he did in Ghana.



Have a beautiful Thursday....


Tony

---