Posted by TommyJack on March 6, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh Geez, here we go....

Posted by pdhuff on March 6, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BCS coach, 2nd nationally, near 80% won, pay him.

Two SEC Championship in 7 years. Pay him.

Has trouble with Tenn. Pay him.

Posted by GerryOP on March 6, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Better yet, hire him....

Posted by TommyJack on March 6, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Better start diggin, Gerry.

Posted by givehim6 on March 6, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's good, but no wins over the BIG ORANGE! And hopfully with a new offence in place to keep programs confused, the traditition will continue.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on March 6, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My thoughts exactly, Tommy...

Posted by GerryOP on March 6, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, shoot yes! If 10-4 and #12 deserves a raise then 11-2 and #2 certainly deserves a raise!

Posted by rabidvolfan on March 6, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hard to believe Fulmer has won 3 out of last 4 vs Richt but I would feel much better being a Georgia fan than UT fan right now in football.

Posted by Phowell23 on March 6, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least I would much rather be a UT fan than Georgia fan in basketball.

Posted by HotlantaVol on March 6, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you want to be a Georgia fan, I won't be stopping you.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 6, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Feel free, rabiesfan and don't let the door hit you on your way out. Rabiddawgfan has a good ring to it. See ya.

Posted by Grim1 on March 6, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kind of sad how we Vol fan are still riding on a National Championship won 10 years ago, kind of like Kentucky in Basketball.
but some vol fans still think we are a "national power" in football (not me...I think Vol football is a joke...well more to the point..Phil is a joke.)

Posted by jasvol on March 6, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Grim1: careful with comments they will come back to haunt you. Everybody is counting UT out for next year but this past year's team showed it has the 'heart' and desire to win under ALL odds. So, next year's team has all those players and more.
All the 'fans' are saying our DT's are weak but I think Phil and Co. got something under their sleeve. Sure, they would have liked to landed more **** DT's in recruiting this year. But, there are a few guys that have developed that we don't know about. It happens every year, look at the Secondary...

Posted by LargeOrange on March 6, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, I'll bite, GerryOP, you are right, both deserve it. But what about head to head two most recent seasons, CPF 88 and CMR 47. NC's CPF 1 and CMR 0. As a matter of fact, I think he was the OC across the field from CPF in 1998 when we beat his Fla St. team. Let the Phil-haters commence.

Posted by mparker on March 6, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

actually, it's all pretty damn rediculous how much these coaches make.

It takes millions upon millions of Americans to support alt the pro athletess, coaches, and entertainers that we deem 'warrant' these huge salaries.

I'm not a socialist, but, dammit, this has gotten out of hand when we pay some college FOOTBALL coach or BASKETBALL coach millions of dollars.

HOw many of you make more than 100k?? More than 50K??

Okay, my rant is done. Richt is overpaid, and I look for UGA to lose at least twice next year. Stafford is NOT that good, tho Knoshawn is SUPRER (spelling may be off)..

Posted by jasvol on March 6, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: i got paid $50,001 this past year.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 6, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Richt got the raise because of his BCS win AND AND his recruiting year.

Can Fulmer say that?

Posted by mparker on March 6, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jasvol, sometimes I think it is time to 'reset' the whole system:
ticket prices back to 5 or 10 buck, sneaks and jersies under 20 bucks, ocaches back to the 100k range....

and then, there are CEO salaries...man, I wish I had not even read this article!!!!

If you want pure disgust, do a little reading on the salariss and bennies for the heads of Citicorp, Countrywide, or Merrill Lynch. Those guys got paid fortunres for kiliing their ompanies.

Okay, back to football, I'm ready to HIT SOMEBODY!!! geez, wish I could suit up right now.

Posted by jasvol on March 6, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EDis4UT: Well, Fulmer can say a lot of things in his new newspaper 'column'. Just remember you can say anything you want...just don't question his integrity. He get's touchy if you do.

Posted by jasvol on March 6, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: Are you talking throwback era? I don't know..I've seen the pictures, leather helmets, no face masks..wasn't a pretty sight, I mean toothless wonders. Oh, and basketball's 'boy shorts' and tight shirts..most definitely not my style.

Posted by volinexile on March 7, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in Athens now and the entire community has so much respect for Richt. He is an upstanding, Christian man who expects the same of his players. He's even trying to clear it with the NCAA to get some of them to be able to go on a mission trip with him to South America. In no way do I mean to say that if you're not a Christian you can't lead young men, but I think that Richt is a perfect example of a man who has the moral fiber to back up everything he says. No one, not even the most rabid UT fans think that Fulmer has the same moral fiber (a completely separate issue from his ability to coach a winning team). That's a shame.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Volinexile - You are right, in one respect, Richt is an outstanding man. I live in Atlanta so I see his press too. But you are way off in insinuating that CPF is not a high moral example of a man. Name me one thing CPF has ever done that is in conflict with high moral fiber. The Phil-haters are disturbed by their perception of CPF's coaching success and abilities, and they are entitled to that opinion, but BOTH coaches are fine examples for their kids and BOTH have had players with DUI's and other police issues this year and I can tell you that the punishment was harsher in Knoxville than Athens, I can give you the details if you need it. What you posted is wrong and uncalled for and is a shame. Do you think Mark Richt would agree with your post or mine. Think about it.

Posted by Grim1 on March 7, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

no..the 07 Vols won on luck....LUCK.
KY, Vandy and SC all lost the games..The Vols did not win them.

Posted by hcjournals on March 7, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

However you perceive Richt he comes across as an arrogant sort in the media. He gives us very little respect. I don't like him, or Oscar Meyer at Florida. Spurrier goes without saying. We had maybe the best first half against Georgia in our history. That's right. In our history. Georgia is circling the wagons because of the humiliating power struggle that is going on between Dooley and Adams in Athens. They are exalting an unimaginative huckster who doesn't respect our rivalry with Georgia. They will regret the day they tried to buy tradition by rewarding a mediocre season that looked better on paper. Hawaii? My hat is off to them, but they are hardly SEC fodder. The strong media market in Atlanta pushed Georgia further than they deserved. Later.

Posted by bloodrunsorange on March 7, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It ain’t over till it’s over! I’ll never give up on the born and bred Tennessee boy when it comes to the VOLS. Coach Fulmer will come through, ya’ll will see! Go VOLS!

Posted by GerryOP on March 7, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

blood, I hope you are right...

Posted by slovog on March 7, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmm ... I wonder if Richt would trade his 2 SEC titles for a National Championship? Do you think Fulmer would trade his National Championship for two more SEC championships? Considering the fact that neither coach has won any title in at least a couple of years, which one was closer to an SEC title THIS year? And since some like to critique certain time-periods of Fulmer's career, whose head-to-head looks better over the last 4 years? And who has the blowouts on his side of the ledger?

How much of that $800K do you think Richt would give back in order to erase the losses to BOTH Kentucky AND Vandy (Vandy at HOME) in '06? Or to maybe lessen the sting of having lost big to Tennessee two years in a row, one loss being the largest point total EVER hung on a Georgia team at home?

Just a few questions to answer.

All the above being said, I like Mark Richt. I believe that he is a good man and a good coach, and he's pretty much the only thing I've ever liked about the 'dawgs. If he can get the money, then more power to him. He may have greater success in the future at Georgia, or he may have reached the zenith of his career (see Steve Spurrier's resume'). This IS the SEC, so you never know.

For those of you who don't like Fulmer, Richt makes more $'s. So what's your problem?

Posted by 55Vol on March 7, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Foolmore... the stat man...

Richt...2 SEC titles
Fulmer...2 SEC titles, 1 NC
Richt....$2.8M
Fulmer...$2.05 M

HOw can you say Fulmer is overpaid when compared to other coaches with less resume?

And Grim1.... LUCK is in the eye of the beholder. Was it luck that Vandy held a 16 point lead going into the 4th qtr and lost it? Was it luck that Kentucky clawed their way back into the game? Ask Coach Brooks if it was lucky Williams got the block or if the Kentucky blocker repsonsible for blocking Williams screwed the pooch.
Ask Spurrier if LUCK made Succop pull the kick right.
Your head is planted so far up your rump you only see things in shades of brown. LUCK? Geez.....

Posted by jimr07 on March 7, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Grim1--i do not know a lot about football x's and o's, but i do know that there is a scoreboard located somewhere on the field. when the referee declares the game over, you look at the scoreboard and the team that has the most points, wins. it does not matter how big a margin. only that the team that has the most points wins. the minute i saw the headline of this article, i knew all you fulmer hateres would be out in full force. I was not disappointed. You stink

Posted by dash727 on March 7, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volinexile you area moron with your do-gooder uga outlook. Richt is such a role model look at the number of football player problems he has yearly. And the fans in red are hooligans and drunks. This is the same coach that many questioned his intelligence. georgia was way overated last year and will be the flop of the SEC next year. Look at their schedule. Hey rabid, you suck, georgia last won a nc in 1980. How about 27 years! ed4ut don't talk about issues you have no earthly idea what you are talking about. foolmore how is work release you mental midget. grim welcome to the coward site, you fit in being anti-vol and ignorant. Must be another pitiful life loser like the rest of the anti-vol scumbags. I guess we are lucky in BB also.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I like and respect Richt. He's worked hard to build his program and is being rewarded for it. No grudges on my part.

Oddly though, folks here that kick CPF for not having enough discipline praise MR who has similar if not more lax methods for dealing with behavior problems.

MR and CPF have about the same "avg" in recruiting over his tenure... and Richt coaches the overwhelmingly most popular team in a talent rich state. GT doesn't have 20% of the fan loyalty UGA has.

IOW's, this is a good occasion to show Richt success... but it is absolutely stupid to turn it into another opportunity to bash Fulmer.

Oh yeah, CPF has won 3 of the last 4 against Richt with the only loss coming in the disaster that was 2005.

Posted by BOASoldier on March 7, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you guys need to quit... look at the posts by Grim1 and EDis4UT you made em both stutter..stutter

Posted by bigbluevol on March 7, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's no longer any reason to say that Fulmer is overpaid. He's now in the bottom 6 of the conference. Even with the raise he's expected to get, I'm betting it won't put him back in the upper half. So all the anti-Fulmerites can knock one complaint off their list.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dash727, What is your issue?

Richt is an accomplished coach. He has an EXCELLENT reputation for personal character and, yes, has been open about his Christian convictions.

Even though he's more lax on discipline IMO, he has less problems than we do at UT. Part of that is a function of having such a devoted state and great recruiting base. Part is undoubtedly his ability to judge character and build relationships with people across the state that help them avoid problem players.

HOWEVER, I think you have a good point about next season. Their schedule is brutal and IMO UT has at least as much returning talent if not more. Last time I checked, UF had the most returning from their two deep followed by UT then UGA. The article says that they have 15 returning starters... UT has 9 or 10 on O plus 7 on D. UF has 8 or 9 on O and about the same on D if I remember right.

UGA could easily be the best team in the SEC next fall and finish 3rd in the East with 3 losses.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Grim1, "luck" doesn't win football games. Scoring more points than your opponents do wins football games.

Here's some "luck" for you: AF's fumble into the arms of Doe for a TD against UF in a 28-20 game where UT had seized the momentum... was "luck". Cal scoring on two non-offensive plays, one that could have been called a spear and the other that had 3 clear blocks in the back, was "luck". Having Ainge injured in the first game was "luck" for the rest of the conference. Needing 3 dropped passes by usually dependable UT players to force overtime was "lucky" for UK. Catching UT looking ahead was "lucky" for Vandy. Having Ainge cold as ice was "luck" for Bama.

You can cut that STUPID "luck" argument both ways in every single game a team ever plays... but again, football is won by teams that outplay their opponents and take advantage of opportunities... not by some cosmicly stupid notion such as "luck".

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Overall winning percentages:

CPF- 77%
MR-79%

I guess you guys are right... MR deserves 40% greater salary... and I'm not ever saying he isn't worth the money.

Posted by bigbluevol on March 7, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Luck also applies to LSU's entire season. They lost two games, including their last regular season one. They had to have about a million things break their way (as did Ohio State). This arbitrary notion of "luck" is ridiculous. Things happen. If you take advantage of the breaks you're given, you win. The '98 Arkansas stumble and fumble was "luck." Tennessee still had to drive down and score the touchdown to win. Sjt is right; luck is used to conveniently make any point you want. It's a pretty huge fallacy.

Posted by GoVol on March 7, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lucky for VOL fans Fulmer is still the coach, or is it lucky for the opponents? All depends on personal perspective.

Posted by pdhuff on March 7, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All fallacies will be put to rest, one way or the other in our second outing. We'll get an inkling if UAB manages over 300 yds or so agin us on my birthday.

Some say we have a surprise at DT coming. I can't take another "surprise" season like we had in 2007 at d-line. It surprised us into 4 losses and three closes. Less than 12 points from 7-7.

All we can do is gird our loins and hope for the best and accept the rest. We all want them to do well. Some just think we'll always compete, sadly, that has not been the case. Revise the charts.

Beat SC.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Richt deserves the raise, he is a great coach and done an outstanding job last season. Say what you will about coach Fulmer, but he should be in the top 3 in my opinion in the SEC for salaries, lets give our coach a big raise Mike Hamilton!

Posted by auttat on March 7, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lucky for me, I don't get paid millions of dollars and have "experts" critique my every move.

Money isn't everything!!

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GoVol, it isn't lucky for Richt or over 70% of the other coaches CPF has faced over the past couple of years.

That's an interesting comparison too. While no on can control what the BCS or polls do...

Richt is 20-6 over the past two seasons. He has not played in the SEC CG and has lost twice (badly) to CPF.

Fulmer is 19-8 over the same period, played two NC's closely, appeared in the CG, has finished ahead of MR both years in the East, and did not get two of his wins over FCS teams.

Richt is getting an $880K raise... Fulmer has a bunch of "very wise and perceptive folks" declaring that UT football is hopelessly off track and that Fulmer should be fired.

Something is just really, really off kilter.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Saban is overpaid in my opinion. But I do believe Meyer at Florida and Tubberville and Miles are worth the money, as well as Richt. Petrino makes more than Fulmer, thats crazy. I know UT can afford to pay what Arkansas and Alabama pays. I think coach Fulmer should be making 3M a year!

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude... I don't.

IMHO, He should not be off the hook for 2005 yet. That one season pretty much offsets what he did in the 90's when coupled with the frustrating decline and poor leadership from 99 to 2005.

If he a) gets UT back into the top 10, b) wins the SEC, or c) gets an at large BCS bid... then it will be time to talk about getting his pay in line with the top paid coaches in the SEC- but NOT until then.

Posted by GoVol on March 7, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always liked and respect MR as a coach. But I think the BCS needs to adjust...no way should GA end up #2 and didn't even play in the SEC CC game. MR probably would have received a raise without the#2 ranking, but probably not the $880k he was given. His breakout game last year was obviously beating FL for his first time while at GA. This was huge for him and the team.

Fulmer is no longer feared by the opponents...respected, but not feared.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

stj18 With the many years of experience and success coach Fulmer has had, he should be making 3M a year! He is the winningest active coach in college football, but not even in the top 5 in salaries in the SEC. Does that make sense?

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GoVol, Can you think of a reason Richt wouldn't "fear" CPF?

We get all torn up over one blowout loss to UF... CPF has now blown MR out twice in a row to include hanging over 50 on him at home.

I sincerely doubt any coach garners "fear".

Posted by EDis4UT on March 7, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by dash727 at 8:52 a.m.

"ed4ut don't talk about issues you have no earthly idea what you are talking about."

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know the Outback Bowl was a BCS bowl. I also didn't know GA was one of the three teams in the SEC that finished below UT in recruiting. Thanks for enlighten me.

The story is about Richt receiving a $800,000 raise. I think he deserves it on this past season.

CF, did win the east, somehow won the bowl game despite despicable play calling on offence and had a horrible recruiting year - for UT standards. If you think this program is headed in the right direction, fine. Let's give Fulmer $800,000 more dollars to keep up with the Jones's. Your are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine.

Richt deserved a raise for last season. Fulmer does not. My opinion.

And don't shoot back saying I'm not a true UT fan! I'm not one of these people that 100% of their posts is bashing Fulmer. I would ever question his integrity of a person like Johnny boy did. I hope UT goes 14-0 every year. I just have lost some confidence in Fulmer's coaching these last few years(I'm sure I'm the only fan that feels this way). Hopefully, with this new coaching blood that we finally got in here - it will change some things around.

Posted by GoVol on March 7, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer will probably get a raise that puts him around the $2.5m mark. Not that anyone is knocking down the doors to get PF to their program, but the raise is simply a matter of economics for a big time college football program. Fulmer's raise will be big enough so that his pride isn't bruised/damaged, but not so large that he isn't motivated/hungry to be completely satisfied. I don't believe Fulmer's motivation is driven by the $$ anyway. His heart is at TN and simply wants nothing but the best for the university and the football program.
I do believe, however, that Fulmer is only 2 years away from not being the HC a UT.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

b.o.d., It would if 2005 and his leadership failures had not occurred. I think you could even get over some of the discipline issues they had by now... but NOT the terrible job he did concerning Sanders. Managing the coaches is one of THE fundamental parts of the job.

It shouldn't have taken 2005 for a guy with CPF's experience to see that Sanders wasn't getting the job done. He micromanaged him in 2005... but should have done so no later than 2000. The drop off in production and discipline was progressive but easily discernable even to an observant fan. You can easily look at the most important stat to drop off- points per game- and know that Sanders should have been under pressure long before he was.

That one failed relationship probably cost UT the opportunity to dominate the SEC from 99-2005. It failed in part because of CPF's personal loyalty to someone "in the family"... I just hope he isn't doing the same thing with Chavis right now.

I don't think that CPF is trying to ride his 90's success now... but I do think that was a problem leading up to 2005.

IMO he has to show all that has been fixed.

Posted by GoVol on March 7, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - no argument that PF has had MR number....and I've loved every minute of it because I'v been at every single home & road game in this series since MR came to GA. I only hope that it continues, but I really don't have much confidence...just hope.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have noticed something this year that I find interesting. On the football side of this board you will find the mention of luck, backing into wins, the team just lost, gnat fart fieldgoal misses, the wind helped us/hurt them, and on and on to criticize our own team after a win. But on the BB side of this board, many of the very same posters use terms like "a win is a win", never say die, great comebacks, gutsy performance to hold on to the victory, finding a way to win, etc. Doesn't anyone else see the obvious bias in the postings of the "Hate Phil/Love Pearl" crowd? If CBP, who I think is awesome, but not yet quite in the manna from heaven category, does get into and win the final 4, will these same guys start calling for his head in 9 years if he fails to repeat?

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GoVol, I know I'm taking a risk but I do have confidence. UT returns more starters and players from their two deep. On avg, UT and UGA have recruited about the same for the past 4 years... certainly close enough.

Once in awhile in baseball you'll see a mediocre hitter that just tears a great pitcher up... they call him a "cousin" for the pitcher.

I don't know why but Chavis seems to be MR's cousin. He's just got the guys O scheme figured out unlike any other team UT plays. Miss St gave UT more trouble than UGA did in a year when UT's D was young and inconsistent.

I don't altogether disagree with you. I don't even think CPF should get a raise yet because of the things I detailed in my response to bigorangedude. But UT is NOT hopelessly lost under CPF... let's just let it play out.

IMO you are absolutely right, he's on the clock if he doesn't get back to the championship level within 2 years. The articles and criticism will either gain momentum or be completely squelched by what he gets done on the field.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange... It won't take 9 years. In basketball you are always one recruiting class away from the cellar.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

stj18 Maybe coach Fulmer doesn't deserve a raise as big as Richt, but I just have a problem with half the SEC coaches making as much or more than a proven coach in the SEC like Fulmer. His overall record speaks for itself. I do agree with your assessment of the Sanders situation. I was glad when he stepped down, but it was too late, the damage was done. I do believe Chavis is a good DC, but like coach Fulmer, his last several years (excluding this season) have been average at best. I think Cutcliff hired a better DC at Duke than what we have now. But I no longer believe that defenses win championships. Times have changed, and big time offenses now win championships.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

stj18 - You are right, fortunes can turn quickly in BB and with the expectations of the regulars on this board, it will be a shame when they turn the insults and jokes on Coach Pearl. They will start bellyaching about all of the blown leads, street ball turnovers, timeouts that should or shouldn't have been called etc. I am enjoying this honeymoon period, where we can just be glad when we win a game and the only negativity and insults come from other teams fans (you know who they are) and not from our own like in FB.

Posted by TommyJack on March 7, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dr. Fulmer = zero raise
CBP = nice raise

Posted by Bigger_Al on March 7, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Last year, Richt lost to BOTH Kentucky AND Vanderbilt.

How many people think Coach Fulmer would even have a job if he did that?

Posted by waterskier3 on March 7, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

man if fulmer gets an 800K raise.... wow!!!! i mean it sounds like ga is trying to keep CR in the mix of the best paid coaches in the sec.... so fla state doesn't take him away :) so will hamiliton do the same to fulmer... i mean come on.. not a big fan of a raise but give him something for making the sec championship game but how much???????

Posted by Vol13 on March 7, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you can't see that Georgia is a superior program to UT then I don't know what to tell you. Ya'll want to hang your hat on a rare game here or there and use that as your whole argument for UT being a superior program. Fulmer has a losing record vs. six of the other eleven coaches in the SEC. If you can't see that UT is trending down, then take my word for it because I can. Some of you are in for a big wake-up call in a year or two when you take off your orange blinders and suddenly realize that our program is squarely in the crapper and we have a fraction of the overall talent that we had say around 2000-01. Fulmer won't survive past 2010 and likely will be fired after 2008. Of course whoever comes in is going to be a failure because Fulmer is not going to be leaving the successor a program that was gift-wrapped to be successful as it was when Fulmer took over.

What are ya'll going to do when Rich Rodriquez, Urban Meyer, Mark Richt, Dan Hawkins, Jim Tressel, Les Miles, Chris Petersen, Pete Carroll, Gary Patterson, and Bobby Petrino have 10 year's experience as a college head coach? All or most all will certainly have a better winning percentage than will Fulmer at that point. Will you start attaching "best winning percentage with 15 years? 20 years? In the state of Tennessee?

The way you all tout Fulmer is beyond comprehension. He's a very average college football coach that recruited well and benefited from the likes of Jim Donnan, Ray Goff, Gerry DiNardo, Mike Shula, Mike DuBose, Brad Scott, etc. being in charge at major programs, where in hindsight they should not have. Fulmer has now become the "weakest link" in the SEC coaching pack as evidenced by his losing record vs. 6 of the current SEC coaches and his being middle of the pack in salary. He's a good man and he's from Tennessee. But his reign is over. And hitching your wagon to him in the SEC today is a BIG mistake and will set our program back immensely.

Posted by Vol13 on March 7, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I forgot Bobby Stoops and Nick Saban. Sorry.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys. I really understand the sentiment to give him something. But if I had an employee that had a completely sub-par year that followed a decline in performance and whose job was saved by his longevity and successful past... He'd have to get back to standard or better before I was willing to give him a raise.

I wouldn't fire him so long as he was making progress. That's what I've argued here on behalf of CPF. He's made progress... but he hasn't shown he can still meet expectations yet.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, Please pick me some sure fire winners on the commodities exchange... someone with your ability to KNOW the future could surely make me rich.

FTR, If CPF is fired this year, he'll leave more than enough talent to win the first year. The program isn't going to collapse within two years either. The early indications for the upcoming recruiting class is that it will be a very good one. The new coaches are making a very good impression on recruits. There are more quality players expressing interests that have a connection to UT like the DB out of Rock Hill and the OL from Lovejoy.

I'm not denying that things declined or that it was his fault. I am saying that he has begun a turnaround and it is safer to see where he ends up within the next couple of years than to jump on the coaching carousel.

The fact of the matter though is that neither of us has any IDEA what will happen this year or if he can complete the turnaround of the program. Thank goodness you aren't MH with your presumptive approach.

FWIW, neither Spurrier nor Richt have recent success against CPF. CPF and Tuberville don't have that many meetings... and UT has been at a talent deficit to LSU for at least 5 years.

CPF was competitive with UM in 2005 and 2006. I'm not saying that's good enough... it just isn't the bleak hopelessness that you painted it.

Posted by BOASoldier on March 7, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13 I'm astonished it's all clear now... before you posted here I was sorely mistaken ... thank you mr. post on govolsxtra like I have the inside scoop man... this buds for you. I'm so impressed by your knowledge of who is the best and the "real" reasons CPF has the record he has. You are the enlightened one. Please lead us hillbillies into the light... it's cold and mommma won't put another log on the fire..... BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA. sorry enlightened one ... it's not just you, I have a problem with anyone that states they know for certain about anything that was a moving post though. I got all teary eyed.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, If UGA is so superior, then why has UT blown them out the last 2 yr's?Just asking.

I see the "ites" and "naysayers" are at it again.2 groups w/ absolutely no objectivity.Skewing and leaving out facts to validate their arguments.

Look, I don't care if you like or dislike CPF, but atleast take into account both sides of the argument.This isn't a personal attack on anyone.

On the lighter side of the news:Clawson has finished putting together the offense.He said he is going to simplify it early on in order to get the young playmakers on the field.They say the problem last yr was the O was very complicated and implimented all at once.The young guys were often confused about what to do.I like this guy already."ites" "it doesn't matter CPF could win a NC coaching the entire team by himself."naysayers" it doesn't matter as long as CPF is coach we're gonna lose 6-7 games every yr.

Posted by romevol on March 7, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13 - do you ever actually watch football?

Posted by GoVol on March 7, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As many are saying...no one really knows and only time will tell. Can Fulmer take us to the next level? No one knows, not even CPF himself!

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man im glad I dont work for some of you guys or I would be unemployed. Most of all my raises have come after good years, but ive had raises in bad years. Im a manager and Ive had back to back bad years before, I thank God I wasnt fired, but I have a great boss! Its always "what have you done for me lately" and coach Fulmer won the east. Winning the east deserves some type of raise. UT had a very good year!

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hubbs spoke w/ Drayton this week and SD said he and B Westbrook are still close, and that BW will help w/ his backs whenever possible.He also said the RB's will have weekly convorsations w/ him.

Hubbs also said that this was the best junior day he has ever seen at UT, and that is saying alot.Just thought some of you might actually want to hear something about football.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rich Rodriquez- character issues. May very well be exposed at Mich

Urban Meyer- who knows? My guess he's gone before your question can be answered.

Mark Richt- so long as he keeps scheduling FCS teams and an otherwise weak OOC schedule... he'l probably continue to do well

Dan Hawkins- Wish nothing but the best for him. I don't see an NC in his future at CU... but he may get them back to competing for the Big 12.

Jim Tressel- when the Big 10 top to bottom gets back to being itself or he figures out how to beat an SEC team in the title game... let me know. Reminds me ALOT of Tom Osborne... his greatness is inflated by a weak conference.

*If CPF had played tOSU's schedule the past two years, they would have been in the BCS. UT played both the teams that beat Tressel much better than he did.

Les Miles- sans Saban's coordinators and players? I'm predicting a decline.

Chris Petersen- You mean the guy that had three losses this year against the 118th strength of schedule? The guy whose only success is riding Hawkins' coat tails?

Pete Carroll- Who know? Probably back to the pros when the right knock comes to the door.

Gary Patterson- will probably get a bigger job then fade into obscurity

and Bobby Petrino- You are kidding, right?

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 here is my version of your post:

Grim1- character issues. May very well be exposed in here

dash727- who knows? My guess he's gone, in the head

LargeOrange- so long as he keeps posting positive... he'll probably continue to do well

savageorange- Wish nothing but the best for him.

Vol13- when he gets back to being himself or he figures out how to beat intelligent posts, which I doubt will happen, watch out. He reminds me ALOT of EDis4UT... his lack of greatness is bothersome.
If Vol13 had posted like sjt18, he would do much better.

sjt18- He posts a lot in here, but I'm predicting a decline.

TommyJack- You mean the guy that seems to always be in here. The guy whose only success is riding sjt18 coat tails?

99gator- Who knows? Probably back to the a gator forum

GoVol- will probably get a bigger forum to post in then fade into obscurity

and givehimsix- You are kidding, right?

Sorry, I was bored!

Posted by TommyJack on March 7, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18: Thanks for the ride. :}

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Richt deserved this. He still ranks 5th on the list and has 2 SECC's to pad his resume with. Not to mention, the man should have played for the NC this year, lets face it.

Fulmer got a raise after a 5-6 season for goodness sakes, so there should be no discussion here.

That being said, pay the man and move on. He'll get another raise if he keeps recruiting like he has been.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude, LMAO, I don't care who you are, (an "ite" or a "naysayer") that is funny. Good stuff.

Posted by brokebackvol on March 7, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geez, some people want to go wear the Dawg Red n black?

Hit the road, Jack!

Not a game has been played, and some are ready to crown Georgia King of the SEC? I call BS on that - WAY too competitive a league for that, IMHO.

Also, while I agree these football coaches are getting way overpaid ACROSS THE BOARD in College athletics, it always comes back to "what the market will bear" doesn't it?

Fulmer did win the SEC East and make the Championship game, and the Vols didn't stink the place up - they stood toe to toe with the National Champions. But any raise he gets should be tempered - not like he's going to jump ship anytime soon from UT.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A major flaw in the BCS is the possibility that a team that didn't win their conference could "deserve" to play in the title game.

marc is right that UGA was probably one of the top two teams in the country at the end. USC was probably the other one. Nonetheless, I think a team should have to win their conference to play for the NC.

Doubt it will ever happen again because of the OU-USC debacle in 2003.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A major flaw in the BCS is the possibility that a team that didn't win their conference could "deserve" to play in the title game.

marc is right that UGA was probably one of the top two teams in the country at the end. USC was probably the other one. Nonetheless, I think a team should have to win their conference to play for the NC.

Doubt it will ever happen again because of the OU-USC debacle in 2003.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't know how many people read the thread on Derrick Lott, but that kid is good.He does however have an offer from OK ST.Anybody want to bet who is recruiting him?

UT should offer this kid now.Being one of the first to offer always seems to come up when a young man states the reasons why he chose a particular school.Plus DT seems to be a little thinner around the country ,although it is very early.

marc_ash ,I agree he deserved it.Funny thing is if he loses to UT again next yr, and doesn't get into the title game, how do you think UGA fans are going to take it?May look alot like these boards do about CPF.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange In case your wondering, Im not one of the naysayers, I fully support coach Fulmer and like yourself, just use a little common sense and look at both sides. I believe some just come in here to stir the pot. But as my Dad would say, "one of these days your mouth is going to write a check that your rear end cant cash". I would say that applies to the naysayers in here wouldnt you? *LOL*

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude ,That was verry funny.The way I see it,it doesn't matter what I think about CPF and his phylosophy good/bad, he isn't going anywhere so I'm going to support him.If he does well then so do the VOLS!I do think it's fair to criticize him when he does something wrong, but also think he should be praised when he does something right."ites" and "naysayers" are of the same breed.Neither uses common sense or objectivity.

However I would rather be blided by the big orange sun than be led by a seeing eye bulldog!

Posted by LSUfan on March 7, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys are funny! I get the feeling you think UGA can't beat you anymore? Truth is, this decade UGA owns you, look at the stats if you need a refresher. I beleive they hung 4 in a row on TN including a 41 pt thrashing at home...remember?

2000- GA 21-UT 10 W
2001- GA 26-UT 24 W
2002- GA 18-UT 13 W
2003- GA 41-UT 14 W
2004- GA 14-UT 19 L
2005- GA 27-UT 14 W
2006- GA 33-UT 51 L
2007- GA 14-UT 35 L
That's 5-3 for those keeping score.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...dude - I guess I am an "ite" or a Lemming, or a sheep, or what ever they call guys who just pull for their team, zits and flaws included. I wouldn't cry if they fired Phil, I just don't think doing so will help our team at this point, I would support the new guy for as long as he wears my colors. As to the good advice your dad gave you, it doesn't really apply to the naysayers that much. For example, go back and read some of the naysayers posts before the Arkansas and Georgia games last fall. They spent the week predicting huge blowouts over us and how we were going to be run over by a Hershel Walker and Bo Jackson back field and that they might put up a hundred on our Vols. Same crap talk before Georgia game. After the game and our great victories, they come on here and say how happy that they are that they were wrong and in a few cases even claimed credit for themselves because they think their negativism got the team fired up. They get to have it both ways. My dad told me that "it takes a lot more courage to stand up for something rather than hide in the dark corners and throw rocks." he also said that "opinions are like a-holes, everybody has one and is entitled to show it if they like".

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSUfan. Three of the last 4 with the only exception being 2005... is a pretty strong trend.

Just look at the numbers you posted yourself... if you were plotting the scoring as a graph... what would it look like?

Margins: -11, -2, -5, -27, +5, -13, +18, +27

As I've mentioned many times here, CPF exhibited poor leadership during a period when UT could have become the dominant team in the SEC. He let Sanders go 4 years beyond the point where he should have had him either jacked up or fired... In short, he squandered a great opportunity.

For your scorekeeping pleasure:

Record vs UGA with Sanders: 1-5, total score- 147-94

Record vs UGA w/out Sanders: 2-0, total score- 86-47

How's that?

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just in case you're actually an LSU grad... in two years UT's margin over UGA is 39 pts. In the previous 6, UGA's was 51 over UT... 18.5 avg margin vs 8.5.

If UGA "owned" UT until 2006... then you can't avoid that UT has "owned" UGA since.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange ,You cannot be an "ite"!!You used common sense , and that is an immediate disqualification.
By the way,I don't know if anyone watched Jim Romes show on ESPN yesterday, but he had Donte Stallworth on.I'm bringing it up b/c some folks were wondering why he said his HS's name instead of Tennessee on those pre game intro videos.Some thought that it was a jab at UT b/c of a bad relationship or experience.Not the case.Rome:"you're a Tennessee guy right"Stallworth:(smiling and nodding)"yep".Stallworth:"I try to get back there atleast once every summer for practice".(short version)Just thought some might want to know Stallworth is all VOL.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 7, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savageorange /LargeOrange you guys have the right approach, coach Fulmer is our coach so lets support him. If he gets fired, then true Vols fans will get behind and support the new guy. I have to admit, I didn't like the whole Johnny Majors situation. I felt like Fulmer stabbed him in the back, but I soon got behind coach Fulmer and he has taken the Vols to the next level, I just hope he can keep us there.

Posted by Bigger_Al on March 7, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT still owns UGA:

From 1989-present, UT has won 12, UGA has won 5.

From 2004-present, UT has won 3, UGA has won 1.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks savage, I wasn't sure what an 'ite' was anyway. bigOdude - I didn't like the Johnny exit either, I was glad to see him back in Knoxville and enjoying life. I do think his time was about done, he was so completely predictable, but I think he got jobbed by Dickey and UT and maybe even CPF. The CPF part I don't know much about other than rumors.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 7, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, you want to get upset about something, check into Exxon making 75,000$ A MINUTE in 2006. Not sure that any of these coaches deserves the amounts they are making but it's what the market dictates and I am sure Fulmer will be similarly compensated at the end of the day.

If Richt makes it through next year unscathed and brings the 'dawgs a national title, then he has earned it. Personally, I don't see it happening without a reliable receiver though.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i've got to clear some things up......

1. coaches do not make to much money. it is not their fault that most people, including the people here, care more about athletic performance at their university than academic performance and that's the god's honest truth. people are anxious to fire fulmer, praise pearl, but none of you know anything about your engineering or biology departments. and neither do i. in fact, in addition, professors have tenure. they don't have to be any damn good to keep their job. has john adams suggested dr. smith be fired?

2. stj18.....why are you so convinced meyer is going to leave florida? where and why? the nfl is not looking to run the spread anytime soon. what college would he choose to leave florida for?

if you think he is a coach who constantly leaves and is a bobby petrino type......keep in mind he left....Bowling Green and Utah

is this theory made out of pure hatred or hope?

Posted by invisiblekid on March 7, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SavageOrange, thanks for the info from Hubbs and regarding Lott. You may have strayed from the topic at hand a little but it's better than what most of these threads becomes, the typical "Fulmer sucks-Fulmer is great" arguments. Even the LargeOrange aka "Mr. Keepin' it Real" started one of those the other day on the men's basketball thread.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid,Not only that,but their schedule is brutal.
Georgia Southern Eagles
09/06/08 Central Michigan Chippewas
09/13/08 at South Carolina Gamecocks
09/20/08 at Arizona State Sun Devils
09/27/08 Alabama Crimson Tide
10/04/08 Open Date N/A
10/11/08 Tennessee Volunteers
10/18/08 Vanderbilt Commodores
10/25/08 at LSU Tigers
11/01/08 Florida Gators (Jacksonville, FL)
11/08/08 at Kentucky Wildcats
11/15/08 at Auburn Tigers
11/22/08 Open Date N/A
11/29/08 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
12/06/08 SEC Championship (Atlanta
It's hard enough to win the east, and then you throw in the 2 best in the west.UF's schedule sets up the best.Their 2 tough games are at UT and the annual UGA game, b/c they are catching Miami and FSU in major rebuilding mode.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator - When you find a professor that can get 107,000 people to pay $48 each to listen to his lecture, he will get paid $2-3 Million a year. Not sayin' it is right, but it is true.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

large orange

exactly

Posted by invisiblekid on March 7, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree SavageO, the Bulldogs were the hot team at the end of last year but none of the prognosticators took the time to look at their upcoming schedule. AZ ST, UT, LSU, FL, and Auburn could all go either way. I figure they split the difference and it's another 3 way battle between UT, FL, and them for the SEC East again.

Posted by BADGES0413 on March 7, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSU Fan, As you can see Richt had really good success with Jim Donnans recruits. Now that he has his players, his true coaching ability is coming out. By the way UT vs LSU-- 20 wins 7 losses 3 ties all time.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid, I agree with you. Take a look at UGA's schedule. If they go through unscathed... double his salary.

Ga Southern
Cent Mich
@USC
@Az St
Bama
OPEN
UT
Vandy
@LSU
UF
@UK
@Aub
OPEN
GT

But like you said... it probably isn't going to happen. IMO, UGA will not win the East and has a much greater likelihood of finishing 3rd than 1st. They'll have a very good team... but that's a wicked schedule that just keeps getting worse. They effectively have 5 SEC road games this year if you include UF.

UT is one of their home games and has a 2 game win streak @ Sanford. Vandy won their last game there as well.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I didn't say he'd necessarily jump to the NFL. It could be tOSU. Maybe you are right and he'll grow gray headed @ UF but he's been a career guy his whole life... Why should we thinkg that's changed?

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

what do you mean by career guy?

i don't think he is headed to the nfl because he is not an nfl guy.

i do think it would be possible for him to leave florida for ohio state, because he's from ohio and went to graduate school there. but, that would not be because he likes constantly jump ship.

i don't think that is a possibility either unless jim tressel decides to leave ohio state for some strange reason.

so, basically, you have given me one job as a possibility.

if that is the case, chances are slim. i don't say this because florida is the greatest place on earth or something, but, if he left there would have to be a reason that made sense. it won't be money and it won't be to go to a program with a better opportunity to win.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 7, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid "Even the LargeOrange aka "Mr. Keepin' it Real" started one of those the other day on the men's basketball thread."
---
I was about to argue with you about that, but after further review, and looking at the logs, I must plead guilty, but, in my defense, and probably why I didn't recall it at first, check out the time stamp -
Posted on March 6 at 12:56 a.m.
...
On Vols claim outright SEC title in dramatic fashion.

I seem to recall having a celebratory adult beverage or three, following our clinching the SEC in the heart of Gator country. I do try not to start stuff on here and usually need to be provoked a little, but in this case you are right. And I even used your name too, sorry 'bout that.

Posted by TommyJack on March 7, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The REAL keepin it real guy on here is ole TJ. The epitome of common sense. Oh yeah.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, it probably wouldn't be advisable for UGA to consider Ga Southern under Hatcher a "warm up". They're a pretty solid FCS program.

Central Michigan is out of the MAC and almost beat Purdue in the Motor City Bowl last year (51-48 loss).

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, rivals is saying Dennis Rogan is showing out in all the drills and 7 on 7.The phrase "jaw dropping" was actually used.He is getting extra work b/c of Brent Vinson's shoulder surgery.Never saw him play in HS, so does anyone know if he can hit?

Oh well, he was only a 3* guy who ran a 4.58 40, so he must stink.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, by career guy I mean someone whose first loyalty is to his career rather than a school or even players. Not saying it is wrong or even uncommon.

Guys like CPF, Beamer, both Bowdens, Paterno, and maybe even Richt aren't the norm... Guys who aren't after whatever they consider the next step up.

Just my impression of UM... I don't think UF will always be big enough for him.

Wishful thinking? Nah, I'd much rather be rid of Tebow than Meyer.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, UM is probably two more 3-4 loss seasons away from not being every UF fan's fair haired boy.

Don't get excited. I'm not predicting it but if they stumble this season things will get a little tougher the next year schedule wise.

Posted by TommyJack on March 7, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt: I don't know of many programs more attractive to a coach than FL. Weather, fans, TALENT pool, etc. I don't have to like'em, but I think FL is right in there with MICH, OHST, ND, TN, USC and a few more more top jobs in U.S. IMO

Posted by Vol13 on March 7, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT won't beat Florida for the next five years and I wouldn't be shocked if UGA reeled off another little streak on the Vols. Our talent level is dwindling in comparison to both teams. I hope you guys enjoyed backing into Atlanta this year because we won't sniff that game again for a long time, barring UGA or UF getting on probation. We'll have a hard time keeping South Carolina out of 3rd place in the East.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage RE: Rogan. Do you think he might be a little faster than advertised?

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

there are two kinds of lifers......

1....guys like fulmer, who are at their alma mater and there was never another job that could compete

2....or guys who are at places where there is no promotion. there are about 20 or so schools that leaving one school for another would be a lateral move. any move from a florida, michigan, usc, ohio state, texas, etc, is a lateral move within the college ranks. the pay won't be better, the backing from alumni won't be better, the chances to win won't be better, etc.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I don't know what it will take... He just doesn't impress me as a JoPa type. Maybe he is but there's a certain kind of humility in the guys who stay with one school. It isn't that they don't have ego but just an extra quality of loyalty.

I obviously don't see as much of Meyer as Gator fans... but I don't see in him that loyal devotion... that sincere expression that the program is bigger than his career that Carr, Beamer, Fulmer, Bowden(s), JoPa, etc have.

Could be wrong... just an impression. I doubt the avg UF fan thought Spurrier would go to the NFL... He didn't have an NFL system either. But when the SEC became too small for him, he had to try it.

Posted by pdhuff on March 7, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad to see ol' sjt18 back in form. He stumbled a little last week, but he bringing out the word for CPF again this week., Preach, brother, preach, lots of possible converts out there.

Can you do anyting about ol' tngeoff and the LLs?
Those nuggets are rare.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

as i said before, i think meyer will be around awhile not due to love of florida, but where is the upgrade from florida? where will the job be better to advance his career if he is not an nfl guy?

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

god help me, if tenn beats florida in football this year. it will allow you to let loose all of your pent up feelings about what a piece of crap coach you think urban meyer really is.

since 2005 (meyer's arrival), only lsu has a better overall record than florida among sec schools.

Posted by TommyJack on March 7, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Ole sjt is competing for his second Tolstoy Award. In hot pursuite is BigOrangeDude. Ballots still being counted.

Posted by philfan on March 7, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems to be many fans' perspective that Tennessee is not rich in football talent. Hence, we must recruit in other states, such as Georgia and Florida. Does anyone have a rational explanation as to why this might be? Is it because there are fewer high school men wanting to play football? Are the males in Tennessee smaller in stature than those in other areas? Are they less athletic or less strong?

Posted by NCC1701 on March 7, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CPF built up the program to "elite" status for a time on recruiting talented players from across the country. It's what made him great. If he continues to have average recruits coming in here, what is going to get us those wins over Bama, FL, UGA, LSU, and even Arkansas in the coming years? His superior motivational skills? His superior game strategy? Come on people, I know recruiting is a hard thing to judge--Rogan, for example, is better than many thought--but we are going to get pounded if we can't get some bonafide badarses on D-line and O-line over here. Who did we get to fill the D-tackle spot this year? When was the last time we recruited a true star at running back? Travis Henry? Jamal? Too many question marks and not many answers if you ask me.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 ,Yes I do.Almost all of our receivers run a 4.4 40, and he is staying right w/ them.Well that, and the fact I saw him return punts last yr brought me to that conclusion.

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSUfan,

Yea..I think the 51 point thrashing at home for GA last year smarted too.

If you are going to look at the entire decade, why not go back the decade before. I noticed you didn't post GA's record against the Vols for that decade.

This is a "what have you done for me lately" game. Just look at the state of affairs of coaches if you can't see that. Fact is, in recent years UT owns GA. You give a school a chance to take 3 of the last 4 from a school and you don't think they will take it?

UT has done very well against GA in recent years, bottom line.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan

in quantity, there is quality. population figures for the states

florida 18,251,243

georgia 9,544,750

tennessee 6,156,719

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJT,
I agree and feel also that a team should win their conference to play for the BCS title. But the problem is the system isn't (nor has it ever been) set up that way.

At no point in the rules does it say that a conference winner cannot play for a BCS title. If they want to change it and set it up that way, fine. But don't change the rules at the end of the year to set up a match up that will sell more ad space on tv.

Hope this just puts us one step closer to a playoff system.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan

in addition, the amount of athletes of great quality alws every one to get better due to competition at the youth levels and high school

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oops...alws=allows

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, eek. I don't know....I do agree that GA has a very tough schedule, but it isn't brutal IMO. Auburn and LSU will be tough on the road, and ASU will prove a tough matchup. However, I think UGA has a chance to make some noise this season.

I think UT has a better chance at 3rd in conference than GA. Having FL and Bama at home helps, but road games to UCLA, Auburn and GA don't make it any easier than the bulldogs.

I think FL has a chance to return to the top also. The GA game will be the turning point next year for the Vols IMO...that will be a critical game (maybe even just as critical as the FL game).

Either way, next year will be as close as ever in the SEC.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, Where are my commodity futures picks? If you are going to prophesy... please do it on something that we can make some money on.

If you think UT's "talent level is dwindling" compared to UF and UGA... you don't know enough to talk about the subject.

UF has a more deeply talented team without much question. UGA and UT are pretty close talent wise and that's largely confirmed by their "average" recruiting classes over the past 5 years... and by recent on the field results.

Just because I have watched recruiting for awhile... here's what UT will have competing for playing time gauged in Rivals "stars":

QB- Three 4*, one 3*
RB- two 3*, two 4*
FB- 5*, 3*, 2*
OL- 3 4* and two 3* that were good enough to get draft evaluations, backed up by 4 or 5 4*
TE- 5*, two 3*
WR- 5*, four 4*, three 3*

DE- four to six 4*, one 5*
DT- 5*, three 4*
LB- Two 5*, three or four 4*, three or four 3*, and a 2*
S- two 5*, one 4*, about three 3*
CB- one 5*, two 4*, three 3*, one 2*

If it meant anything, UT could start a team with all 4* or 5* players... they are not deficient in talent.

Again, that's off the top of my head... maybe savage can help.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc ash

georgia plays lsu, florida, kentucky and auburn consecutively.....away from home.

i have never seen anything like that.

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator,

I agree with you on the lateral moves. Big programs come with big boosters and many coaches don't want to leave. Answer me this, where is UM from? I would say there would be a #3 on the list which would be "coach at your alma mater".

Again, I don't know if UM came from a big school and would want to return home, but many coaches at least consider a move to return home i.e. Les Miles.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I don't disrespect what UM has done. He's done a good job obviously.

If UT beats them... my feeling will be alot more relief than anything else. I admittedly can be a poor loser... that wouldn't be one of those occasions.

Where did I say UM was a "piece of crap" or anything like that? I simply said that my impression was that he wasn't a coach that was likely to be at UF or anywhere else all his career. I think the man has a pretty large ego and eventually that will outgrow UF, the SEC... and I still believe there's a good possibility it will out grow college football.

Do I like him? No and that goes beyond him being at UF... I just don't like him... and it is rare I feel that way about anyone whether in my personal acquaintances or amongst public figures.

Posted by marc_ash on March 7, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc ash

georgia plays lsu, florida, kentucky and auburn consecutively.....away from home.

i have never seen anything like that.

Good point, neither have I.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc ash

meyer graduated with a bachelor's degree from the university of cincinnati and a master's from ohio state.

and i did say that i could see meyer leaving for ohio state, if offered. but, when is tressel leaving and why?

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

the "piece of crap" comment was because i can tell you don't like him. tenn beating florida would give you more ammunition to rip into him.

that's all.

Posted by jimr07 on March 7, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan--now i have lived in texas for over 30 years and it is hard to keep up. as i understand the lack of talent in tennessee is that there are no junior high programs and spring practice is not allowed in all divisions if at all. i may wrong about this. Texas has a very strong junior high program and all divisions but two allow spring practice.

Posted by jimr07 on March 7, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

largeorange--bear bryant always said how many people would fill up a stadium to watch a chemistry experiment.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator- I despise ND...they're probably CFB's greatest program. I despise Mich... if ND isn't, they are. I despise USC and Carroll... they are great tradition and currently one of CFB's most dominating programs.

I don't have to like someone to give them their due respect. My comments weren't because I don't like UM... but because of what he seems to be.

FWIW, CPF seems to do better against coaches the more times he sees them. It took him years but he eventually began to beat Spurrier. He went 0-4 against Richt then 3-1.

IOW's, I'd just as soon see UM stay if CPF is going to be around. If he leaves... I'm under no delusions about the probable quality of his replacement. I simply think Meyer's ego is bigger than limiting himself to one school for 30 years.

Posted by jimr07 on March 7, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator--what is florida's record against Michigan? i have forgotten.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.

That is pretty darn accurate.It would be interesting to see Rivals or scout do a depth chart w/ the players stars next to his name.

Posted by 99gator on March 7, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07

0-2. am i supposed to be embarrassed about the fact that florida lost to michigan?

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

philfan, most people think Tn lags behind because its youth programs are weak. Ga's are very strong as are Florida's.

The HS coaching and sophistication of the game also seems to be at a much higher level in those states... or AL, SC, MS, VA, etc.

For whatever reason, Ga and Fl are roughly proportionate in the number of 4-5* players they produce and their population. Tn will produce about 6 of those per year while Fl produces about 40.

It isn't just a matter of population.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No gator... most of us take pleasure in the Michigan game because Zook has been gone far too long.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 7, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to pay Coach Fulmer what Coach Saban is making at Alabama so no one steals him away from us. We are very fortunate to have coach Fulmer as the leader of our young men.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 7, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 ,The key for us is to snag those 6.If and at all possible.The 3rd rated class in 07(for example)had 1 5*,3 4*, and 5 3* guys come from instatate w/ 1 2* Cory Hall (who is showing that rating was probably incorrect)That is almost 30 % of our 07 class.When talent is up in the state, and we get em,Ut has rated very well.According to the "experts" the talent in Tennessee should be much improved next yr.

Posted by sjt18 on March 7, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc, I'm pretty sure 99gator made the point that the season really hinges on the UT-UF game. UF's conference schedule lays out almost perfect except for traveling to K'ville. Their other true road games are Arkansas who will probably be down for a year or two and Vandy. UGA is considered a road game this year for jersey selection.

Their only other tough road game is FSU.

UT's path is tougher but Aub lost their DC and are installing the spread option. UT gets them probably at the best possible time.

It is easily conceivable that UGA could beat both UT and UF but STILL not win the East.

More than just the schedule though is their lost production: T Brown, Baily, Lumpkin, two starting OL's, Mikey Henderson, back-up TE, 2 DL's, Flowers, 1-3 starting/contributing LB's including Brandon Miller who just always seemed to be in the ri