Posted by LazhilUT on January 25, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And the recruiting class goes lower and lower in the rankings...

Posted by pdhuff on January 25, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh well. Page was a gamer, but hated to see Thompson turn away a while back. Step it up, Vols.

Posted by williamshockley on January 25, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We are not doing well at all.....I don't understand. Somebody explain to me how we could be Top 5 only a couple of years ago, and now this.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Top 5 last year.

To rehash:

- UT's image has been tainted by things like calls for CPF's head, bad losses and the incumbent criticism, and the recent discipline issues.

- Down year for instate talent.

- More competition

- Staff changes.

Posted by tripper on January 25, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Finally, some news on Tennessee recruiting. It not good, but at least it's news.

Posted by TommyJack on January 25, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

williamshockley: Blame it on the losers/haters.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, Do you really think things that contribute to a low image of the program are neutral?

I agree that losing badly in high profile games probably hurt recruiting... but so does the negative atmosphere created by the "losers/haters" and prophets of doom.

Posted by bullfrog07 on January 25, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This looks to be the worst year in CPF's tenure for recruiting. Our only recruiter on the staff was CTT, he had to close the deal for every coach. The new guys - it'll be hard for them to have an impact this year. I remember CTT didn't really have a big impact during the '04 class (only b/c he had only been on staff for about a month).

Chavis, Slade, Adkins, etc. those guys aren't recruiters. They don't have the personality for it. Caldwell and Brooks do "ok". Hopefully Scott and Drayton will be good ones, next year will tell.

Our immediate future looks good but long term I'm worried. You have to recruit good year in and out.

There is in-state talent this year its just there going elsewhere (Ala, OM, etc.)

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The ONLY way a good recruit comes to UT this year is IN SPITE of the swirling contempt for CPF by a very vocal minority and the negative press UT has gotten (some earned).

IOW's, CPF's job of selling the program to recruits has never been harder.

Posted by chipper10 on January 25, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think highly rated prospects see Tennessee as an upper tier program right now. Probably perceived as third in the East. Winning big games changes these perceptions and although UT won the East last year, they were blown out three times, twice on national television.

These things go up and down. We just aren't the hot program right now, but we will be if we win championships.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thompson was never really a prospect, Page is a 3*OL...not a big deal...we need to Close Wadley and Mcclain though to offset these opportunities.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bullfrog07, there are half the 4-5* players in Tn this year as last. OM has ALWAYS recruited west Tn well.

Bama is having a great class including B Jones whose dad was a b-ball player at Bama and who grew up a Bama fan. The RB Bama got was projected as only a LB at UT. They were honest with him as they should be... he went to Bama on the promise he'd be a RB... he'll probably be a LB before the end of August.

One thing that Saban has already shown that he will do that UT has not done... is make suggestions or even promises to get a commit that he has little to no intentions of keeping.

Posted by raleighncvolfan on January 25, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We better hope Berry and Co. can get 'er done becuase this class is looking like a black hole. Thanks Cut! What would we have done w/o your QB expertise for all of 2 seasons? Uhhh...not have a 2008 Outback Bowl trophy??? Great! At least we met Hammy's expectations for the program.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ATL, Page is 4* per Rivals... and I'd argue a pretty big deal.

UT really NEEDS McClain and Thomas now.

Posted by TommyJack on January 25, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt: Yes, I really think they're neutral. All teams have boards...most have losers/haters. Too much credit given to them. These kids are too savvy to make a pick based on what 1/10th of 1% of the fan-base says. The drop-off, IMO, is due to our coaching staff getting lazy the past 6-7 years...taking for granted that most studs would pick us. I think the staff (including CPF) is back on track now, but we're paying for a few years of complacency.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh... btw... we panic over stuff like this but this past year UGA recruited several great OL's under the pretense that they could be starters. Two started as Fr and played well.

It isn't ideal but it can be done with success.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, can you name a program that you expect UT to compete on the elite level with that has a worse recruiting situation and thus a greater need to preserve its image?

Alot of folks are lamenting Bama's success but they have a great foundation of instate talent to pull from. AL plays very good HS football for its population. They now have alot of excitement around their program and a near delusional inclination to ignore anything even remotely negative about Saban or Bama football.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh TJ, I didn't specify just the chat boards and the like. The call-in shows have about the same effect.

In themselves, neither would even ripple the waters. However it is very apparent from numerous statements that local and national media visit the boards and feed off of them. ESPN analysts routinely reference chat boards... including comments about CPF relating to chat boards. When there is negativity or calls for a guy's head, they pass it on.

IMO the biggest factor is probably the Jones/Paige thing. I don't think this class was every headed for the top 10 but top 20 or 25 was very realistic until the image of a recruit in the car with 3 dope smoking players was etched onto the minds of parents hoping to keep their sons away from that.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok....its time to worry if any of the folllowing committ elsewhere:

Mcclaine- Tenn or Auburn (hes from AL to)
Coples
Witherspoon- Michigan verbal
Abrams-Ward Tenn or UNC (from NC)
Waggner
Wells- FLa ST verbal

Enrique Davis would be nice...

These are our most solidified recruits as far as leaning towards us at all lately as I can tell.

CPF get out there and change some peoples minds like last year, stay the course.

Posted by bowerst on January 25, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some are saying that last year's #1 class also plays a role in this year's drop-off. Most rate the 2008 team as stronger than 2007 at every position except QB (and LB with Mayo leaving early). Maybe we get a few this year, and save some spots for a blowout 2009 recruiting year.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes. Spurlock IMO was a mistake by the staff. For whatever reason, they thought they had some better guys... maybe they do... but that incident with him was not good.

I've read that Anderson performed well during the year and in some all star type games... but he's a project at best- maybe a career scout team player.

OTOH, there are some things that are accomplished with a pick like that. Maybe he has a brother, cousin, teammate, etc that UT will want? Maybe there's an area interest that they want to cultivate where he lives?

All in all though, you'd have to think missing on Spurlock was not a good thing.

Posted by UT4ME on January 25, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any recent news on Brandon Warren? First time poster here...some observations:

Yes, I think recruits, their friends and families, etc., do read online stories about the university they are considering, as do other coaches and recruiters looking for any information to find an edge.

The story on Vereen got 3 different headlines...first about the arrest for public intoxication, then to "clarify" it was related to a fight, and finally, Phil's punishment of the whole team. Some local media members seem to focus hard on the negatives relative to UT.

Why the story on Pryor from KNS? Could it be that CPF and Clausen have continued pursuing him despite the comments about Pryor taking UT off his list after Cutcliff left?

Any insight on these issues appreciated. I've been reading most of the stories and comments on this website since being extremely frustrated with UT football after the Alabama loss. I remember laughing my ass off that night, as many people were speaking their mind about the state of UT football after that game...and still do. Not into personal attacks and name calling, but generally agree that change is needed at UT for us to regain national, and in some cases regional, respect. Hoping the new coaches can at least give us that, and some last minute, positive surprises on the recruiting trail.

Went to Tenn Tech for BSME, but did graduate from UT 10 years later after spending a year in the EMBA program. UT fan in all respects.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what I was saying ATL. UT has some in's with good players. If they only sign a few more then they can sign a larger class next year.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCR, Coaches sell and recruits buy an image. Damage that image and you don't sell it. It really isn't all that complex in spite of your handwaving and sarcasm.

Recruits equate UT to Fulmer so when you or anyone else contributes to the tearing down of the guys image... you hurt UT football... and especially when you do it in a degrading way.

Criticism is expected. What you guys do isn't criticism... it isn't objective but rather spiteful.

Comments from the outside can never do the damage that comments from inside can.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Abrams-Ward,Coples, and Witherspoon would be terrific signees, not to downplay the others....
McClaine is a future NFL body at 6"6"315 and 18yrs old, just think hes Auburn bound being from Bama.

Posted by jdcvols on January 25, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, I've read quite a few of your posts concerning recruiting and you certainly have a common theme. Coming off the 2005 season, CPF had to make a significant change, the team performed very well early in 2006 and that convinced a lot of the current recruits that 2005 was a one time deal. Losing the Outback bowl and falling into the back of the Top 25 left a tremendous of damage to our program nationally, and we had to live with it for 9 months. Starting off 2007 with some bad losses just killed any momentum that CPF had built up. Looking back on it, the only way out was really to win the SEC Champ game and the BCS bowl. If we had accomplished this, then many of the "Second Place finishes" in recruiting would be ours. The negative talk and chat room stuff certainly didn't help, but a good portion of the fan base was unhappy with CPF. One poster suggested it was a small minority, but that was a naive statement. If he can land 4-5 big guys then this class would actually be a success for our needs today. There is always next year!

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm the eternal optimist ,but this hurts.Coples,Kelly,and E Davis are in this weekend.We really need Coples and Davis.Coples is rated a 4* and Davis a 5*.If for nothing else but momentum.They are not DT's like we need , but for others considering UT , it might help if we move up the board.The folks out in Oregon seem to think Davis is down to UT and Oregon.Davis may be waiting to see what Pryor does.Pryor is in OR this weekend I believe(or next)and will be hosted by Dixon.Pryor goes to Oregon, forget about Davis.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT4ME, Warren is said to be on schedule to enroll in the summer.

He and Morley will probably take 2 scholarships. I'm not sure about Morley but Warren would definitely count against this year's class as far as scholarships given.

Posted by TommyJack on January 25, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt: Sooooo, in the final analysis, what is the MAIN reason recruiting if off? And it is.

Posted by foreverorange on January 25, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as defensive tackles and ends are concerned, I don't know why we cannot get some big recruits this year, but my opinion is that the reason we cannot land any big time skilled players anymore (QB'S, WR'S, RB'S) is because players realize as long as CPF is at the helm of TN they will not be able to pat their stats to earn an early pick to the NFL. Even when we get a big lead Fulmer calls of the dogs and the opponents come back. I realize its the classy thing to do in fulmers shoes, but classy doesn't always get you the best tallent in the land. We are still getting solid players, but were not going to get the tebow's and pryor's of the world when we don't even beat our smaller opponents by more than 14 points.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agreed jdcvols. You make some really good points about the lack of momentum headed into the fall. Events since then certainly haven't helped... and I still feel like Page or else a couple of others like him would have tipped toward UT without the discipline issues of the last two weeks.

If I'm a parent with dreams of seeing my kid walk across the stage on draft day and knowing that drugs can destroy that opportunity... CPF would have a very difficult task.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we need to concentrate on getting transfers from USC

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I actually see alot of merit in what jdcvol posted concerning the end of 2006 leading into the bad losses early this past season. That was obviously compounded by the coaching changes, discipline problems, off year in Tn talent, etc.

But his point is very, very good.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Recruiting is off because of Troop leaving, Cut leaving,Cal 45 Tenn 31, Uf 59 Tenn 20, Bama 41 Tenn 17.

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

foreverorange ,We are 1 yr removed from a top 3 class.If what you say is true that would not have been possible.

Posted by KENVOL on January 25, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not to worried about recruiting for 1 year. We can always pick up juco players if we have to to fill holes. We will be OK.

Posted by drone on January 25, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We could look at it this way. This year's a bust with all the changes and maybe that's for the good. Instead of potentially wasting scholarships this year, hold on to them and market the 2009 class as the best to ever be assembled and one all need to be a part of and take this approach. We should have substanially more scholarships to offer next year this way and could be a huge recruiting tool.

Posted by BornaVolDieaVol on January 25, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Something's wrong when we can't get DLs in here with them knowing they can have instant playing time.

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Spurlock was a mistake.B/c we may have to start movig some O-line to the D-line.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, where did you see E Davis is still coming? I've read that he is all but an Ole Miss commit. You are talking about Enrique Davis, right?

KNS is reporting that Coples, Floyd, and Kelly are this weekend's only visitors. That's the same list I saw last night too.

IMO Enrique Davis is good enough to expect a chance to start his first year. He will only choose UT over Ole Miss or FSU if he wants to win more than play.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

drone, I proposed that too but remember that it only works to a certain limit. I'm not sure how many guys UT will lose after next season to graduation/NFL but I'm pretty sure that 28 is the max a school can sign in a single year.

Posted by pdhuff on January 25, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ- without defensive help, does anyone think we're going to see anything but a repeat or worse than 2007?

Chavis is an above average DC but you can't have a good jug band without jugs. We play as last year and those cliff-hangers won't all go our way. Dang giving up 400-500 yds a game and 28-50 points a game. We look like UNLV used to in B ball. Let them score so we can get the ball back.

As I said , at $38,000.00 per week, I hold Phil directly responsible. If we're a mess, HE, not anyone else, led us into it. 68th in Run defense, 84th in pass defense, know some don't like to hear it, I don't either. When is he ever held responsible for no rings in nine years? I digress.....Top 10!!!!!

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Think about this in 2008: Clemson,UGA,ARK,Bama,VT,UNC,LSU,AUB,S CAr,Wake are all worthy of being ranked and getting recruits.

1998: Tenn and FLa were good.

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 25, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ouch on these 2 not picking Tennessee.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, if it forces them to leave Brimfield at DT... that could work out very well.

UT won't be hurting for OL's this year. They return their top 7 plus Sawtelle and a few others s/b ready to contribute.

OTOH, they are thin on the DL. I'd argue the first two lines are as good as UT has had in awhile but there isn't alot behind them.

Posted by VOLstuckINky on January 25, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

troop is NO lose ....

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 ,I read it on one of Oregons boards.There was a mention of him possibly having scheduled 2 visits on 1 weekend though.He may have to move a visit here to next week, but I am not sure.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

davis is visiting 02/02/08

Posted by VolnFlorida on January 25, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT cannot afford a down year in recruiting.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff UT could possibly start a defense that looks like this next fall:

DE- Brown 4* JR or Martin 5* SO
DE- Ayers 4* JR or Walker 4* SO
DT- Williams 3* JR or Langley 4* RS FR
DT- Bolden 4* SR or Fisher 4/5* RS JR
LB- McCoy 4* JR
MLB- Williams 4* JR or Wilson 2* SR or Donald 5* RSFr
LB- Myers-White 4* JR or McKenzie 4* SR
CB- Willingham 4/5* SR
S- Berry 5* SO
S- Morley 5* JR
CB- Vinson 5* SO

If Chavis can't do anything with that... then he is NOT an above avg DC and CPF's responsibility lies in the fact that he kept him in spite of the fact that he contributes little to recruiting the players he's now been blessed to coach.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolnFlorida, They can but they better follow it up with a great and large class next year.

Posted by TommyJack on January 25, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VOLstuck: What??

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vinson will not be at corner next year, johnson will be back

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vinson was a WR out of high school plus Rains is coming in

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i would take the marty everett kid, its between ut and uf

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJ

ANTONIO GAINES WILL START AT CORNER--- WILLINGHAM IS NOT FIRST TEAM

BERRY MORLEY VINSON SOLID

I HEARD THE DL MAY FEATURE MARTIN AND GERALD WILLIAMS AT THE BOOKENDS D WILLIAMS AND BOLDEN IN THE MIDDLE

MZKENZIE AND MYERS - WHITE SAW A LOT OF SPECIAL TEAMS AND BACKUP DUTY LAST YEAR, DONALD IS A YEAR OUT FOR STARTING I THINK.

PRETTY GOOD FIRST TEAM D AND O NEXT YEAR

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marsalous johnson Will start at corner

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Berry saved Willingham's azz many times against wisconsin , then he went head hunting.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gaines might start at corner only in the NFL he was a senior this year so he is gone

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JOHNSON AND GAINES START

VINSON NICKEL CORNER

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GAINES IS GETTING A 6TH YEAR- PER FULMER

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NO ONE on that roster will beat Vinson out at CB. I don't make many definite predictions but you can book that one.

He's faster, quicker, bigger, and has the best instincts of any of the corners.

Johnson could beat Willingham out but I doubt it especially with Willingham being a SR.

I have not heard whether Gaines medical RS was granted... but it doesn't really matter. He doesn't physically match up with any of those guys and before his injury was getting burned more than the inexperienced guys.

I'd say that Rogan is and will remain higher on the depth chart than Gaines.

The darkhorse @ CB could be the RS Fr Fleming from Va.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ATL, I wish nothing but the best for Gaines... but he still shouldn't start. I can imagine a team revolt if he started ahead of a heroic guy like Vinson. The kid played the whole season with a shoulder that constantly popped out of place. One article said he learned to pop it back in on the fly so he wouldn't have to leave the game... good thing considering they only had 3 CB's at the end of the year.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe we get billingsley, savage and everett then throw in ward, mcclain, wells, coples and wadley and WE ARE GOOD TO GO

Posted by pdhuff on January 25, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18- I guess we'll all know after UCLA, huh. Conjecture will turn into realism, good or bad, pro or con. Wonder what Vegas will have us at per winning the SEC. Admire your steadfast admiration for Phil. You truly stay the course.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah I like Vinson too, hes quick....I watched tape of the Outback Bowl and Berry and vinson were hitting people as fast as our LB's...Mayo included....speed kills

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AND THE WILLIE BOHANNON KID THATS A KENTUCKY COMMIT

Posted by UT4ME on January 25, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ATLVOL1
"PRETTY GOOD FIRST TEAM D AND O NEXT YEAR"

Exactly. We aren't going to be ranked very high with our recruiting this year, period. However, we do have enough talent to compete for a championship next year...we even played the national champion (LSU) very tough this year despite Ainge's shortcomings.

IF Crompton plays with emotion and truly leads the offense, and Clawson duplicates his offensive success at Richmond, 2008/09 SHOULD be a great year.

If we play up to our potential next fall, and if we get the lucky breaks needed to win a championship, then the recruiting will fall in place again. If we blow it and have a significant number of off-field incidents and/or grade issues...again...then I will give up on CPF, period. I don't buy into the next year or two being a "transition" year due to new coaches. It has to be a substantial success, and CPF has already been given multiple passes IMO. This year has to result in SEC championship and a BCS bowl, and no less.

Posted by foreverorange on January 25, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT could actually have a good DL next year, just not a lot of depth. Looking forward to seeing Martin get a full time starting job.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fulmer has 4 new coaches to blame for bad year if we have one and also bad recruiting year

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Those who think that things like this board, talk shows, or any other forum that is a place for fans to toss out opinions are a major factor in our recruiting problems are making two mistakes. 1) Underestimating the intelligence of the recruits, and 2) over inflating their own self importance.

In my opinion, the two biggest factors in our downward recruiting slide are embarrassing failures on national TV and a stale persona/image led by a coach who consistently lives in the past. Now that PAF claims to have made a commitment to change, we'll see ... in the next couple of years. 2008 could be a rather difficult year. As Pennington said, winning would cure many ills. Just my opinion.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i also hope we get the CB reuben johnson kid from jersey

Posted by grvol on January 25, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was only a matter of time before Fulmer's reputation for not developing talent started affecting recruiting.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

haha Cowboy! Cut may be Head Coach for this recruiting Class by the time they are Juniors /Seniors....Fulmers sales pitch could be "dont worry young man Coach Cutcliffe will take my place in 10' after they fire my rear."

Posted by 55Vol on January 25, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unless all of our DB's coming back have brain surgery, we are well stocked at that position. It might be time to turn OL into DL this year rather than the reverse. As much some do not like VolCR's sarcasm, he is absolutely right about needing real DL-men. Championships are won with great defense. ( especially those who can get off the field on 3rd down ) Great offense sells tickets, creates fan excitement, and every now and then bails out a good defense that is having a bad day. We have to start recruiting 2009 DL-men today.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OLineman are OLineman for a reason, they dont have the speed to be DLineman, they are roadblocks not road graters

Posted by 4jerry on January 25, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sj18- you have proven that you will log onto a forum and lie about others. Name a player at LSU, Bama, or Mich St that coach Saban has promised a position to that he didn't make good on. Idiot.
Administrator: please change username sj18 to 'LyingVol' or 'JealousVol'.

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volunteer_cowboy ,Bohannon visited UT last week, and came away very impressed.He's said he has alot of thinking to do.He is only a soft verbal to KY.He said he hasn't totally made up his mind yet and may make a decision this week.The story is on rivals.com

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we're loaded at DB so lets get Berry involved at QB,RB,KR,DE and PR.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pd, I agree about next year. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Whether I admire CPF or TDTN hates him really isn't all that relevant... though in my defense there are things about his style and decision making that I really don't like at all.

What is relevant is that CPF is and will remain for at least one more season the face of UT football. Fair objective criticism should and does come with his job. But the unnecessarily negative stuff does nothing but harm the team- sometimes by degrees and sometimes in total.

I love UT football. I'll still be a fan this time next year if CPF is the coach or someone else. But right now he is the coach and calling him "foolmer" or engaging in baseless hypercriticism does absolutely nothing to help UT.

I think Sanders deserved to be moved out. I think the time was well past prime by the time he was moved out... but there is no doubt that the disruption around those staff changes hurt recruiting in 2006. I simply don't want to see that scenario repeated over and over... and especially when it is unlikely that CPF is ever going anywhere except into voluntary retirement.

Posted by ggriggs939 on January 25, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How many thousands of recruits are there each year? The VOLS can sign only 25 or so, and although they recruit for their needs, cannot get all those whom they would like to get due to many circumstances. (Should we get the top 25 in the country, the local clamor would be, "Why don't we play Joe Doakes from Fulton or Tim Brooks from Catholic?" as it has always been in the past.)

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i know bohannan visited i just hope he comes around to OUR way of thinking. for the life of me i cannot figure out why any Dlineman would want to go to kentucky. they lost thier whole offense, they will SUCK!!!! and those poor DLinemen will be on the field so much they will have the blades of grass numbered

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

4Jerry, Saban's tactics aren't all that secret or new. Unfortunately they are effective.

All you have done is log onto a forum and demonstrate that you can't engage in civil discussion... contributing to an already less than stellar stereotype for Bama fans.

TO EVERYONE ELSE- Jerry provides an EXCELLENT example of what I'm talking about. The "image" of Saban and thus Bama are the only things that matter. Jerry won't even consider the notion that Nick is anything but a saint. Their whole fan base seems to be delusionally positive like that... and it DOES help sell the program.

They are EXCITED coming off a 7-6 season with a ridiculous loss to ULM. Many vocal UT fans are gloom and doom coming off a nicely recovered season, division title, and solid bowl win.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah how can you visit UK's stadium and UT's stadium and voluntarily pick UK.....because Uk told him he will play next year and Tenn said he will play in 09.

Posted by Brama on January 25, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like we need to get back to recruiting In state kids. Coaches need to take another look at their prospect list and see if there is anyone they are missing out on

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ATLVOL: are you CRAZY Berry needs to do what he is doing right where he is doing it, if you didnt notice we had a shortage at the DB pos. this year so yea thats what we need to do is put our best one out there on both sides of the ball and take a chance on him getting hurt. If he gets hurt fine but if im the coach if he gets hurt its at his position!!!!!!!!!

Posted by OrangeBlitz on January 25, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why didn't CPF's reputation effect last years highly ranked class?

Their are 38 current NFL players that played for CPF; not counting all the others who have already retired.

That is pretty good for a coach that can not develop talent and has a bad reputation.

Atleast make a good argument if you are going to bash CPF.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that was a joke there cowboy

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Meanwhile, sjt18 thinks the naysayers are causing the decline,"

Here's another GREAT example of what I've been saying. People like TDTN are very selective in what they pick on. No mention of the FACT that I said it was my opinion that the discipline problems were probably the biggest contributor to the recruiting issues this year.

I said, as did Brent Hubbs, that the naysayers on chat boards and call in shows are contributing to an image of CPF and thus the program that WON'T SELL TO TOP RECRUITS.

If what you say of me is true then you can lump someone who is as typically objective and careful as Hubbs in with me. He says it plays a factor... that's all I'm saying.

You deny that it does... of course you couldn't accept that it does and continue to do it without admitting that you are part of the problem.

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As I stated above, the biggest contributors to our recruiting situation are embarrassing losses on national TV and a stale, boring image led by a stale, boring .... well, you know.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN... If there's one thing that anyone who has read your posts for any time knows... it is that your arrogance will NEVER allow you to say you are part of the problem or ever WRONG about anything.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN = classless

Posted by 55Vol on January 25, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OLineman are OLineman for a reason, they dont have the speed to be DLineman, they are roadblocks not road graters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is noramlly true VC. However, we need some depth, and if they can road grate on the offensive side of the ball, then road grate on the defensive side by taking a couple of OL-men with them and create holes for the LB's to cleanup. I don't think in this day and time with the size of Olinemen that 2 deep will always work. We need more real DL to start and rotate and then some others to give them a blow without giving up the game.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sabin will leave alabama like he left mich st. for lsu and lsu for miami and miami for alabama and for the same reason MONEY he is a COACH WHORE!!!!

Posted by bigbluevol on January 25, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's also two good years out of four. You can spin that however you want. UGA just hired Lilly as their tight ends coach and he's supposedly a master recruiter. While he was recruiting coordinator at FSU, they finished with very highly ranked classes several times in the past few years. However, those classes included such wonders as Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford, and others who have contributed nothing. The point is, this is far from an exact science. USC has amazing recruiting classes every year and they lost to Stanford and Oregon. Florida, with all those 5 stars, lost just as many games as we did. As for Spurlock, maybe we didn't recruit him harder because he had character issues. Who knows? Let's see how he does at FSU before we decide it was some sort of huge mistake.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry if that is true of early season losses... then why wasn't it mitigated by the dominance over UGA? Why and how do the negatives getting promoted and positives get downplayed?

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IF dlINEMAN ARENT FAST ENOUGH THE QB STANDS BACK THERE ALL DAY AND PICKS YOU APART

Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 25, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If FSU has recruited good classes recently then their Coaching staff is pizzpoor!

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fla st wasnt even in the top 25 in 07 and they were #12 in 06 and #3 in 05

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ut was #1 in 05, #24 in 06, and #4 in 07

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN, you have more impact on UT recruiting than primary voters in SC do on who becomes the next President.

Your voice and 1000's singing the same old song are heard and magnified.

At the same time, delusional loons like 4jerry above are creating excitement around Bama and Saban in spite of a 7-6 season, loss to ULM, and the obvious Saban history of leaving teams in a lurch.

Again, the negative image created with the help of negative fans isn't the only reason or maybe even the biggest one... but it does contribute to the problem.

Bama's loss to ULM was every bit as bad as UT's losses to Bama and UF. But the Bama fans and media treat it like an aberration. Folks like you treat UT's failures as if they can never be improved... you preach an expectation that they'll happen again next year while the Bama fans are preaching that they'll reach the promised land next year.

Which do you think recruits want to hear from the fans?

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if we were #4 in 07 we should have enough talent to get us through a bad recruiting year wouldnt you think

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN, the final polls suggest that the expert analysts thought UT was a better team than UF and Bama by the end of the year... Either your logic works both ways or it doesn't work.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

its funny, alabama fans HATED sabin when he was at LSU with a passion but they love him now even with a SORRY 7-6 record

Posted by jdcvols on January 25, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is one guy on the team that should by his size should be a DT. I believe he was originally recruited as a DT but has been moved to the OL. It is Shaw from Louisiana. The guy is like 6-6 and weighs 340 something. What is the deal with him?

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't it really rather obvious? 1) People tend to remember dismal failures. 2) By the time the UGa game rolled around, we were an embarassing 2-2 team and our reputation was so besmirched by Cal and FL, who bothered to tune in? If you will recall, by then the sporting world was so impressed with UT that national TV did not even bother with televising the Alabama game.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cowboy, in a word, yes. Plus, this particular class will probably get a boost from Sykes and Hall returning from JUCO with 3 years of eligibility left in next year's class.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if dixson doesnt get hurt oregon wins the NC

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry, That is a very good point for people outside the Vol nation... but shouldn't be the case for Vol fans.

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJT: Gee, it looks like while I was writing the above TDTN beat me to the post! Brilliant minds ya' know!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought we were even lower than #24 in recruiting in '06, remembering that as worse a disaster than 24 would sound. I would like to think we can still beat the '06 class this year.

Posted by jdcvols on January 25, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP, don't forget the hangover from the Penn State loss from the prior year. We had to live with that poor effort for 9 months. The "failure" period lasted 10 months!.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cowboy, you are probably right about Oregon.

jdcvols, from what I've read, Shaw is too slow and hasn't done what he needs to in the weight room to turn that bulk into muscle.

I'm on your side. A guy like that would seem to be someone who could at least plug up the middle at a minimum and maybe be very difficult to stop from getting penetration. Maybe he's someone who will get a shot with the way this recruiting class has fallen out?

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJT: So, now you are claiming that all recruits are a part of the Vol Nation? Being a bit presumptuous aren't we? I believe the discussion was about the downfall of our recruiting? Hmmmm?

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what ever happened to slick shelly and that other WR alexander i think that surprised everyone by signing with tennessee. i think he was from around miami or something. i think these 2 helped our rankings that year

Posted by Ironcity on January 25, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IF recruits did read this rag, It would explain why our recruiting is down this year, however I think its just one of those years. I also believe UT is not going to settle on a bunch of guys they believe have a marginal chance of playing in the SEC. Lets also face facts, Trooper was the main contact for a lot of the top players now choosing to go some where else.

Posted by 55Vol on January 25, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

....you preach an expectation that they'll happen again next year .....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
sjt18...you have got to read ole TDTN more closely. Next year??? Nope , this year....we were going to waxed by Georgia, Arkansas, by Wisconsin, get lit up by Kentucky, and get run off teh field by LSU...all by multiple touchdown losses. We did get waxed by Florida and had a team full ( coaches and players )of quitters against Alabama. We got beat soundly by Cal. We WAXED Ga. and Arkansas, survived Kentucky,gave the game to LSU, and whipped Wisconsin. Those are all facts.

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jdcvols: You're exactly right! Our record for 2007 was a sparkling 9-5!

Posted by bigbluevol on January 25, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ATLVOL, maybe it's possible that the recruiting rankings aren't perfect. I love that it's always the coaches' fault. VC, Shelley transferred (to Tulsa, I think) and Alexander wound up at Auburn. He got out of his letter of intent.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerry, how you made your criticism makes all the difference. You stated a point... and a good one. TDTN managed to turn it into a generalized attack on the whole program.

Posted by bigbluevol on January 25, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, Xavier Lee was a "can't miss" prospect. He played at a large high school in Florida and everyone was just sure he was going to be a star. Now he's left school early because they were going to move him to tight end and he's trying to get drafted. I'm sure that will work out well for him.

Posted by jdcvols on January 25, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55_Vol, after the Fla game, it looked like TDTN's predictions were going to be true.

Posted by GreerVol22 on January 25, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll repeat this for those who didn't read the other story...

3 things that are turning recruits away from Tennessee.

1- Phil just ain't hip. Miles, Richt, Meyer, Bowden, Satan and RR are all relatively young bucks compared to Phil. Sounds simple but the parents of these kids are placing less value on the morals, values, and education that Phil stands for and there listening to the "your son is your retirement ticket" sell. Trust me, I live near Clemson and know some local kids that have been given that very statement.

2- ESPN....Be it basketball, be it field hockey, be it powder puff basket weaving...ESPN has had a burr up its butt since we called then to the table a few years back. Kids hear the negativity and/or general lack of repect for all things UT and ultra praise for our opponents by these color guys and one can say sticks and stones but...

3- Were just not mean enough. Did we go for the throat on anyone like BAMA did to us? When was the last chop block we threw? Heck the last roughing penalty we got was because Xavier tripped and fell into the QB... Not that we want to be proud of these actions but it generally reflects on the intensity of the staff and general desire to run thru the huns like crap through a goose.

These teens have grown up in a playstation world, and folks, UT generally gets their a$$ whipped on playstation.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55_Vol, not sure if you are being serious or poking at TDTN.

If you are poking at him... then yes, his correct predictions were a function of predicting doom and gloom virtually all the time.

Posted by GoVol on January 25, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The recruiting, the image...etc..Fulmer owns it all. When it goes well, he gets the credit. When it goes poorly, he gets the blame.
No sense in folks trying to make excuses, Fulmer is to blame for the poor showing the past 5 years or so.

How long does this have to keep up before some folks wake up and see the common denomiator in all of this is Fulmer - I guess at least for 1 more year for sure!!!
The sooner we make a HC change the better we'll be in the long run. The longer Fulmer stays, the deeper the hole we dig and they say at 6ft under you're dead.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we underestimated cal, brown georgia's starting RB got hurt on the first play and mareno made his rookie debut, nobody could see the numbers on halls jersey 22 beat us, jones got hurt on the opening kickoff so ther wasnt no wild hog and if lincoln would of hit the chipshot FG ainge wouldnt been throwing at the end of the game against lsu we would of been kicking a FG to win the sec championship

Posted by jdcvols on January 25, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP, 2007 record 9-5?? How about 10-4. In 2006, 10-3 with the bowl win sounds a whole lot better than 9-4. Anyway, CPF is obviously trying but he may be snake bit. The stupid acts by his players have probably caused him to defend UT rather than selling UT to the recruits and their parents. What a shame! What parent wouldn't ask about the recent events and about what control is in place to protect their precious babies.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ha ha ha, pay sabin more than alabama is paying him and he'll be here before signing day, remember he's a coach whore

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJT (2:24) Do I detect a bit of an attempt to patronize?

Greer (2:27) Read it earlier and I totally agree, particularly with 1 & 3. We ain't hip and image has become boring, stale, and passive..

Posted by beartn on January 25, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bullfrog07
<<This looks to be the worst year in CPF's tenure for recruiting. Our only recruiter on the staff was CTT, he had to close the deal for every coach.>>

Wow. This is a bizarre sentiment. Hey, I liked Trooper, too. However, he didn't recruit every single player we landed during his tenure. Also, we landed many good players by coaches on our current staff before and since Trooper was here. You act like we never signed any talent until Trooper came.

I have 2 thoughts. 1) Recruiting is cyclical. We got a monster class for skill positions last year. We aren't landing them this year, though the bigger concern is lack of quality DT's and DE's.

2) Recruiting rankings are way overblown. Hats off to the recruiting "gurus" for creating a lucrative industry for them. However, we have had poorly ranked classes in the past that did well, and highly ranked classes in the past that didn't pan out. I think we fans obsess way too much about it.

Posted by OrangeAndWhite4Life on January 25, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a thought here...If we are unable to close the deal on some HS recruits (i.e. Page and Thompson) then should we be looking to pick up some Juco players ? I know we would only get them with limited eligiblity, but could possibly be a stop gap until our recruiting improved. By no means do I claim to know all that much about recruiting and would be willing to hear others thoughts on the matter.

Go Vols !!

Posted by GerryOP on January 25, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry jdcvols, my cynicism! Caledar year 2007 - 9-5! Just like calendar year 2008, so far, 1-0! As to the rest of your post, I think PAF is his own worst enemy - old, boring, and stale.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's true, jdc, CPF is undefeated in games played "this year."

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what about witherspoon? anybody heard anything

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder ... how many stars would Dale Jones have been?

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what about jt floyd and lathers are we even keeping them

Posted by Pullingguard on January 25, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The majority of top 100 rated players made committments starting back in the summer.. UT did not have recruiting emphasis in last 3/4 months because of the Duke/OS thing.. When you have the recruiting coordinator, the offensive coordinator, the receivers coach, and tight ends coach leave and when they are probably the best recruiters on the staff other than Fulmer then you have a problem. There has been little emphasis until just recently. Fulmer should not have let some of those folks hang around until after the bowl game knowing they were not recruiting... He should have dismissed them, hired staff earlier, and got set on the recruiting thing... Someone will say it was a dead period, so what, get prepared have a game plan and go with a new staff... It could have been better than it presently is.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP, RE: 2:24. Absolutely not. You were just really timely in your illustration of the point I've been trying to make. Objective criticism is perfectly legitimate. Gloom and doom prophecy isn't.

Perception/spin matters.

Saban had a worse season than Shula before him and Bama fans think he walks on water. They probably think he can't find an OC because no one is good enough to live up to his standard.

If people weren't influenced more by perception than reality then Bill Clinton would have been removed from office and the invasion/occupation of a nation with the world's 4th largest military while losing less than 4000 troops would be considered an overwhelming military success.

Unfortunately, perception matters... and often more than fact.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dale Jones of Appalachian St. is interviewing for the defensive line position at Oklahoma St.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt, on Vol football I support your opinions 99.9% of the time ... how 'bout none of us get political on this football site.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cowboy, Floyd has been a funny one from the very start.

I haven't heard anything but that Lathers is solid.

Fowlkes is going to Ark with a team mate this weekend but doesn't really seem to be wavering.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry. Just making a comparison gmc. Like CPF, I think Clinton did some good things as President. OTOH, there is absolutely no question he committed perjury and that is perhaps the worst "high crime" a President could ever commit... regardless of what he lied about.

I'll try to find illustrations elsewhere though.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 25, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

fowlkes is going with darrell simmons i think(a south carolina commit)

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here in the Baton Rouge papers for many weeks and as recently as a couple days ago, they have been speaking of Lathers as a Tennessee commit, not pitching like its down to us or LSU or anybody else.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 25, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sjt18 ... geaux Vawls!

Posted by Tenn_Dawg on January 25, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TouchdownTN...UT caught Georgia at the perfect time last year. Georgia was still working in those freshman on the offensive line, Stafford was still a work in progress and Moreno's true abilities were still being discovered. UT had the bye week plus they had something to prove. I agree that I think Georgia probably could have beaten UT if they played later in the year based on the fact that they improved significantly over the course of the season and UT seemed to hang on. On fortunately there are no muligans in football so us Dawg fans have to accept the fact that UT whipped us good and move on.

On the recruiting topic....I find it hard to believe that UT has not done as well this year with the facilities and tradition they have. There is no comparison in those areas between UK, Ole Miss, and most other SEC schools that UT has lost out to. No question losing Tropper and Cut has hurt this recruiting class.

B-Ball......UT 77 UGA 59

Posted by vol4good on January 25, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have read most of the posts here (I usually skip the longwinded ones), and I have to point out that in spite of the pitifull season that ND had this past season. They are still in the top 10 in recruiting. Is that just the ND mystic or what. TN once had that mystic, and I really believe TN can recapture that loving feeling, and soon. It only takes success and landing one big recruit. I remember when Eric Berry committed, several others jumped on board soon after. Just my observations.

Posted by KingsportVol on January 25, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Blame it on that damn Kenny Chesney.Page&Thompson saw him on the Florida sideline.

Posted by missrvrvol on January 25, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To sjt18

HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE!!

Posted by andy112382 on January 25, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh boy, the haters have been waiting for stuff to jump all over, they smell blood now and will make this as big of a deal as they humanly can.

Posted by BigOrange1 on January 25, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Tennessee should eliminate their program all together:)

Posted by tngeoff on January 25, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Darn.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ND gets kids from Catholic schools that are indoctrinated with golden domism from the time they're in kindergarten.

Scout and Rivals tend to give Catholic school kids good reviews for some reason too... actually it seems they like private school kids in general.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny missrvrvol :)

Posted by bigbluevol on January 25, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...

Interesting that Tebow may be involved in the Urban Myth's recruiting violations.

Posted by tngeoff on January 25, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been workin' like heck to figure it all out:

http://www.wstardesigns.com/Horoscope...

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigblue, I sincerely wouldn't want to hear that.

I hate UF with a passion but would like to see a guy with Tebow's reputation do well. It would be a shame to see it tarnished.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 25, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

from my point of view fulmer made two mistakes this year in recruiting 1. he didn't assign someone to stay hot and heavy while he focused on an OC and 2. he started paying to much attention to the media and fans and got side tracked on the only thing that can save his legacy at UT and that's great recruits.... studs on the field is what makes coaches look great and nothing else.

Hey but wait til 08 I know they'll have a great class and we'll win a NC I just know it!!!! wow next year just dreaming about next year!!!!!! wow!!

Posted by bigbluevol on January 25, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt...I hate UF too and Tebow seems like a good guy, but from the article, it sounds like Meyer put him in a bad position and Tebow trusted him. If the image is tarnished, it's Meyer who did it and it's interesting that Meyer can't remember who called who.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier, unfortunately, CPF needed Chavis to step up in recruiting. Adkins does a great job recruiting but he can hardly do it alone. Caldwell and Brooks do a good job. Slade was actually heard from this year.

I haven't heard Chavis name enter any of these key recruitments other than his role as DC and on campus presence. I have NEVER heard of him bringing in a key offensive recruit. Last year, there were several examples where O coaches including Cut were critical in landing D recruits. Martin specifically mentioned Cut.

Posted by TommyJack on January 25, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geoff: Are you burning a spleef?

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCR, points scored on PS2 don't count in real life.

Posted by BigOrange1 on January 25, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Recruiting rankings, both team and individual, are so overblown and over analyzed it's not even funny. Come back to me in three years and we'll talk about how good or bad this year's class is.

The so-called recruiting experts are right about players in a lot of cases but they're also wrong many times too.

I'm all for trying to recruit 4 and 5 star players just like the next vol fan but we've all seen plenty of 4 and 5 stars guys turn out lousy. And we've seen three stars turn out to be great players. I'm sure we can all think of some former vols who fall into these catagories. You never know how these kids turn out.

Let's all just take a deep breath :)

Posted by thesavageorange on January 25, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCR ,What did she look like?

Posted by tngeoff on January 25, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack.

Nah! Just trying to find a way outside of logic to figure out all the stuff going on...'cause logic ain't gettin' it! And...I don't want to be negative. Just cognizant of the fact that some things are simply inexplicable...no matter how many ways we try to explain them.

Posted by sjt18 on January 25, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BO1, There are 3*'s that emerge every year like Slaton at WVU or Matt Ryan. There are even 2* players that overachieve though seldom because they usually have physical obstacles like being too short or way too slow.

However when the recruiting services give a kid a 4-5* rating, that player usually has great talent. Some do bust because of behavior but not that many bust because of having their talent overrated.

I posted earlier that all or most of UT's upcoming two deep on D were either 4-5* players. That's not an accident.

OTOH, Arian Foster is a classic overachiever and 3 key OL's including at least one that was good enough to get a draft analysis were 3* players.

The ratings do mean something... but you are right, they don't mean everything.

Posted by 99gator on January 25, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

some things that bother me around recruiting time.....

1. recruiting rankings and experts can be often proven to be wrong.....however.....give me the 5* kids and i'll give you the 1* kids and we'll see who wins more often. just like the nfl draft. give me 1st rounders over 7th rounders all day.

2. even great classes are no good, if there are holes in the class. a good example is miami's recruiting class....ranked in the top 5 most places. they have something like 8 lb's committed. what are you going to do with 8 LB's. they have positions of need they are striking out on and it will cause problems....yet their class is rated very high.

3. no matter how good or bad the recruiting class is....about 1/3 of the class usually does not contribute for whatever reason.

4. it does not take into account the coaching they get when they arrive in school. some coaches develop talent....some don't. some fit in a system....some don't. some guys are a star at some schools and wouldn't sniff the field at others.....tommy frazier and eric crouch anyone?

so, keep all this in mind. i am a bit surprised about tenn's recruiting problems so far. even though there has been staff turnover....that is true at arkansas and miss...etc. but, all is not lost folks. some of these guys will make you proud on saturdays.

Posted by AE2001 on January 25, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is getting out of hand, looking at the Rivals top 250 almost 200 are committed and only 1 to Tennessee... I admire Fulmer for all his hard work, so in saying that, it has to be something he is not doing, because with the facilities, tradition, and just Knoxville period, there is no reason we shouldn't have a top 5 class every year. We can not afford to slip, especially with everyone in the SEC getting all the top talent. i.e. AL, GA, FL all in the top 5 this year as well as last, with the exception of AL...

Posted by Vols1998 on January 25, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the facts, when David Cutcliff left, he took a percieved creditability with him, the other schools are claiming that he is the success of UT. Now, whether you agree with it or not, that is the ugly side of CF on new recuits. The new DC will need to establish his creditability.....FAST! if we are to recuit next season, unless they have some secrets up their sleeves, this class is going down as one of the worse collection of football players for UT in a long time.....really long time.

Posted by rckymtngator on January 25, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Urban Meyer/Tim Tebow recruiting violation is a non issue. Tebow took a call from a Florida recruit who was already enrolled in school during the Heisman presentation. The NCAA was aware of it and determined that it was not a violation. Unfortunatly several SEC papers are reporting it as a "Breaking News Story". They are probably trying to influence recruits. Florida currently has the consenus # 1 ranked recruiting class and has (4) 4 and 5 star recruits visiting over the next two weeks, Florida has loaded up on defense this year as well as offensive playmakers. In addition to this year, Florida has already received commitments from a number of 2009 top 150 recruits. The rich get richer. If you are going to beat Florida, 2008 may be your last chance for the forseeable future.

Posted by williamshockley on January 25, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Better find some JUCO's quick. We could use a Jesse Mahalona right now..

Posted by thesavageo