Call me a blind loyalist, but I look forward to every year, especially this year.  Because I don't believe that we were as bad as the record showed last year and I'm looking forward to proving it.  A lot of things went against us last year, most notably a high number of injuries that included key players.  Bad coaching and giving up late in the season did us in.  How many games (coulda, woulda, shoulda) could we have won last year?  I know, we didn't get it done.  But say we won 2 of those games, with a 6-6 record and I don't think this doom and gloom would be as severe as it is.  Bad season no doubt, but not catastrophic like it's being perceived.  We are not a team that can challenge Bama and Jawga.  But I truly think that is going to change.  I like Coach Pruitt's approach and I think he is what we need.  One upside of going 4-8, the brick layer is gone.

The schedule is brutal (what's new?),  we have a young team and a new coach.  Ain't skeered!  Looking forward to whoopin' up on West (by God) Virginia. 

Do you know why they call it almost heaven?  Because it's so close to Tennessee. 

So, maybe my orange shaded sunglasses are on a little too tight and the bourbon has affected my brain, but I will always be pulling for the Vols, regardless.
 
Go Big Orange!

I thought the Smokey grays were awesome.  It's a great combination with orange. These new changes are getting back to old school uniforms.  Totally agree with the black cleats.  Give me a flat top hair cut and some high tops for the Johnny Unitas look at quarterback.

I, for one, prefer not to wallow in the current doom and gloom that seems to be permeating the current perception, from the media, the naysayers and most of all some of the fans who think that Tennessee is a lost cause.  Gruden was a pipe dream, Kelley was never coming, Frost went home, Mullen made sense going to Florida. We almost got Schiano for God's sake!  Yes, so we have struck out so far, but seriously, no one that Currie reached out to would have satisfied the "prerequisite" of hiring a proven winner guaranteed to get us back to the glory days in year one. There are only a handful of coaches that could have met that standard and they ain't going nowhere.  

Coach Pruitt, if we are fortunate to hire him, shows a lot of promise.  I agree with the approach of defense first and he has been part of the best.  With a good defense, at least we will be in the ball game.  Bring in Tee Martin, the offense will be improved and recruiting should be a given (maybe even salvage this year's class).  I look at this as a new beginning no matter who we get.

As for this past season, it was the worst I have ever witnessed as I am sure everyone would agree.  There were games we should have won, games we could have lost.  The stars lined up against us with a tough schedule and we were decimated by unprecedented injuries, not to mention a terrible coaching performance.

Having said all this, I am optimistic that we're going to be fine.  We have good talent coming back, we have great facilities, a passionate fan base and we play in the best conference in the country.  Butch was right about one thing, Tennessee has all the pieces in place to compete and produce a championship program. I trust in Coach Fulmer to make the right decision on the coaching hire.  

Next year's schedule will be brutal and we may still take some hard losses.  It's not going to be easy but what's new.  It's the SEC.

But chin up ya'll.  See you in Charlotte.  

Go Vols! Go big orange!    
 

dumbest mistake I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your loss.  He was a beautiful dog.

I agree completely.  He is not the big name everyone had hoped for but it's done.  So let's get behind the man instead of griping about him.  I listened to Bill King on the way in this morning and he pretty much nailed it.  Tennessee is just not that an attractive job right now.  Hart took his best shot and he found what looks to be a pretty decent, young coach who wants to be at Tennessee.  I'll be interested to see who his defensive coordinator will be and if he can recruit.  But complaining about it openly on this board is working against us.  The decision is made so get over it (or not, up to you).  He has a lot of work to do so let's welcome him in and show support.

Butch Jones is our new head coach.  Congratulations and go big Orange!

has Butch Jones listed as the coach of the University of Tennessee.  How do they know?

Excellent idea.  Have one for me. 

I can't watch.  The pain.  The anguish. This disgusting charade has to end. NOW!  Fire him in the fourth quarter!  It will send a message, one of desperation.  SOS,  I repeat, SOS!!!!!  AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is hell.

His name is Robert Gilbert (my bad).

I hope Hart is stockpiling some cash.  We're going to need it.  But that's a good point since he has been there only a year.

Alabama beat Virginia Tech 77-6.  I hated them back then too.

I've never heard a more pessimistic analysis of the state of affairs in regards to Tennessee football.  He said this is the worst he has seen since covering the Vols since 1944.  He seems to think not only should Dooley go, but Hart, the Chancellor and Board of Trustees as well.  I know he wrote a book on General Neyland, but who is this guy?  I mean, I know we have problems (to say the least), but from listening to him, I get the impression we should just close down the football program.  Granted Dooley is not going to get us where we want to be, but is the football program and the administration in general that disfunctional?  I see signs of life, but all too often I see nightmares from last season.  The defense looks absolutely lost at times.

I would just like to see us put 4 good quarters together this weekend.  At least be competetive for a change.  Give me some hope Vols.  Change and hope!  That's the ticket.  Or is it hope and change?  Or is it hope we change the coach in 2012?

If Bray, Hunter and Cordarelle leave for the NFL, next year will be even worse.  I think Dooley deserved a chance to prove himself this year, but next year would just put us further in the hole if we keep him.  Is there a Messiah out there?  Someone to lead us to the promised land?  A miracle worker?  Help me somebody!

You can take this to the bank (cannot be redeemed for cash value):

Tennessee 27
Bama 24

Yes, I said it.  We will beat Alabama.  Today is my birthday and I made a wish so I'm expecting a miracle.

Any chance of rain?

45-3 Big Orange!

I can dream, can't I?

from our office building.  Ain't skeered.

1980 Tennessee Geogia.  The best seat I ever had, first game too.  Way beyond any semblence of sobriety, we cursed Herschel, and lost a game that slipped through our fingers.  Next week was USC, another squeaker.

1982 'Bama game was the best I remember.  Just awesome.  Grain cups raining from the sky.

She is a Senior cheerleader but I don't think she would care one way or the other.  Then again, it is is her final year of school. 

What do you think, a tight game, a breakout game, do we go down in flames?  I don't have a good read on this team.  A lot of new coaches are on board.  Going to a 3-4 can't be easy.  Can we run the damn football? 

What's the word in Knoxville, are we still down or do we turn a corner? To me, this is an important game that sets the tone for the year. 

Predictions anyone?

Too much offense with Latimore and the defensive ends will bury the Vandy QB.

SC 34
Vandy 6

Woodstock, we must be neighbors.  I have a Woodstock address.  Sequoyah (my daugther's team) plays River Rigde, a new rivalry in the making.  I'm kind of leaning your way in the advice column.

I want to hear some predictions for Friday night.  Should I scalp a ticket and go to the Dome, should I watch at home on my 55" HD or should I go see my daughter's high school team play?  I can't beleive I have doubts about playing NC State, but I don't want to blow $100 to see another Kentucky debacle.

Give me a sign, any sign.

1980, first game I ever attended, Georgia-Tennessee.  Best seats I ever had (50 yard line, front row, upper deck).  We should have won that game.  Herschel - Schmerschel.

I was in Neyland when Travis Henry put the team on his shoulders and pounded out that winning touchdown against Arkansas.  He was not going to be stopped.  Unbelievable drive in an unbelievable season.  Clint Stoerner is still my favorite Arkansas player of all time.  Miracles do happen!

I knew this would not end well.