I was going to start out today by talking football, but after having endless conversations about Rick Barnes yesterday, I thought I'd clear this up for some folks who don't seem to know or understand where I stand on this coach. I have never once said that I want to run this coach. I've said all along this coach should be judged overall after 3 years on the job. What I have said is, that I do not believe that this coach has busted his rear end on the recruiting front so far. When Jerry Meyer (who is the director of scouting for 247) comes on Tony's show and can't roll off of his tongue anyone that Barnes is in on, that raises a flag for me. I've also heard from some people that they don't believe Barnes has the hunger or fire in his belly that he once had, that Rob Lanier is the guy running the show behind the scenes.
Now, on the flip side, I've heard from some people that Barnes is doing a fine job and all is well in Big Orange Country. Keith Hatfield (who has forgotten more hoops than I will ever know) says not to sweat it, that Barnes is doing just fine. Look folks, draw your own conclusions. Time will be the tell here. I'm not asking you to agree with me. I'm just giving my opinion. I expected more to this point. When Barnes came in here from Texas, I thought he would recruit like gangbusters. Maybe he will, but I'm of the opinion he hasn't so far. Again, I'm not looking to run this coach and I'm behind him 100%. All I'm saying is, to this point I've been disappointed in the recruiting. Time will tell and give us all the answers. That's where I stand. That's my opinion!
Now let's talk some football. It's an absolute must that we beat Florida this year. I don't think I'll survive, if we don't. They've won 11 in a row and to hear their loud mouth players, you'd think this year's game is already in the bag. The ever classless Jalen Tabor took to Twitter and Periscope Monday and held his own Media Day, again spewing his big mouth about how beating the Vols was as sure as death and taxes. You'd think his sockless, Jim-Bob Duggar look alike coach would have stuck a fork in this clowns act, but obviously he doesn't care what Tabor has to say, even if it upstages his own teammates who made the trip to Media Days. This tells me that either McElwain has no class or the inmates are running the asylum down in Gainesville, or both. Florida LB Jarrad Davis got in on the action down in Hoover, telling ESPN's Brett McMurphy that the Tennessee game is one of the funnest games every year. When McMurphy asked Davis, "why?" Davis said, "because we win and you can go ahead and say it"
When our guys take the mic later today, I hope we show some class and dignity and don't get into a war of words, responding back to the classless Gators. Talk is cheap and is for fools. That's what my old man always taught me. Let Florida go ahead and play the role of the big, bad, bully. The best way to handle a bully is to punch him right in the mouth. September 24th in Neyland Stadium, our Volunteers need to not only punch this bully in the mouth, they need to absolutely beat the hell out of the Gators. This is one game that I want as bad as any game we've ever played. We need to take 11 years of frustration out on these classless clowns. If you think I lost my mind last year after losing to Florida and Oklahoma, be fair warned that I will explode if we drop this years game. Beano Jeff Henderson is right on point when he says these streak games usually end in lopsided affairs. Point in case, the 1995 Alabama game. 41-14 Big Orange! I see the same type of result in this years Florida game. I'm predicting a 45-14 romp! That game can't get here soon enough for me.
There's another little 9 game streak that I hope comes to an end this October also. Bring on the Tide! It might not be the lopsided outcome I expect the Florida game to be, but I'll take a win any way we can get it against the Tide.
This is the year of redemption for this program and for our great fans. I feel it in my bones. We finally have the talent in place to compete with any program in the country. It's going to be one fun ride. 51 days and counting!
In closing here, I'd like to address a Tee-Mail that Tony put on the blog last Friday that was sent in from a Vols fan who goes by "Bigger Al"
Bigger Al sent in a great mail where he presented 9 points, yours truly was #9. Here's what Al had to say about me, word for word:
"9. Is it just me, or has the "Vol Colonial" turned from a guy with valuable inside access into a sort of "Neutron Colonial”? He has called for the heads of the University President, the Chancellor, the Provost, the Athletic Director, Butch Jones, Zach Azzanni... Who am I missing, Mahoney, Warlick, Barnes, Serrano…?
Well Al, you took time to write this Tee-Mail addressing me, so I will take the time to answer you.
First off, I'd like to thank you reading Tony's Blog and I certainly appreciate you reading my offerings. There's no doubt about it, sometimes I wear it on my sleeve. I'm very, very passionate about the University of Tennessee and our athletic programs. I expect excellence and I hate to settle for mediocrity. Let's go down your list. UT President Joe DiPietro. Yes, Al, I have mentioned in the past when issues have come up over things like the Lady Vols name controversy for DiPietro to come out from behind the curtain, step in and lead and resolve this issue, that never needed to happen in the first place. I may have said something like lead us or step aside. Guilty as charged!
Chancellor Cheek, yes, I have called for this carpetbagger's head in the past. Guilty as charged.
Provost Susan Martin, Al, you got me here. I have no love whatsoever for her and her liberal agenda. She hates athletics also in my opinion. Guilty as charged!
Dave Hart. I've praised him warranted and blasted him when I felt he crossed the line. I'm pleading No Contest here!
Butch Jones. I lost my mind last year after we lost the Florida and Oklahoma games and in a moment of pure passion I made an ass out of myself and did indeed call for his head. I also took to the blog and manned up and said I lost my mind in the heat of battle. I find myself not guilty by reason of temporary insanity!
Zach Azzanni, I think he's a weak link and has grossly underachieved as our WR's coach. Guilty as charged!
Don Mahoney, ask around, Mike DeBord was our O-Line coach last year. Now, I don't remember saying can him, but it would be no great loss. No Contest Plea!
Holly, I don't care one way or the other. Serrano, yep, I think he's a great guy, but his record is worse than Todd Raleigh, Guilty! Last, Rick Barnes.100% innocent, I just want him to step it up a notch.
Al, you might be onto something. I might just be a Neutron Colonel, but I do believe in excellence and I have a very hard time with accepting anything less. Sometimes, my passion causes my mouth to talk out loud when I would be better suited to just keep my pie hole shut, but that's who I am and I'm not going to apologize for being me. I appreciate you taking the time.
Have a Great Day and Go Big Orange!
Your Vol/Neutron Colonel
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