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Comments » 37
BillsBrother writes:
'05 was most disappointing after such high expectations (top 5 pre-season) and 16 straight winning seasons.
'08 is just inept and frustrating.
98memories writes:
05 for sure. We wished for the best, but didn't really know what to expect in 08.
HighlanderVol writes:
IT got to be 2005: rank Preseason No. 3 and had a change to have a run at a NC . This year we where pick to finsh 3 in the east and not rank in Preseason top 10 . but i must say this year has kill me
slambob2#228938 writes:
This year, I think, is worse than 2005. In 2005 it was a suprise. Now it's a realization.
16 years is a long time and Coach Fulmer and Coach Chavis have given us a lot to celebrate. Now it's time to celebrate them and prepare for the future.
memphisvolman writes:
1988 was really bad I remember seeing Johhnie Majors in Church every Sunday looking like he was hung over from the Saturday fiasco's!
stevefrommemphis writes:
Little unfair to ask the children who predominate this web site to evaluate options A,B, and C which occurred when most weren't even born.
knoxtenor writes:
Even the 1986 team had some impressive games to brag about.
rusty_shackleford writes:
1977: Majors blamed Battle and his recruits
1980: 1st year with 100% Johnny's boys.
1988: Majors blamed Ken Donahue's defense. Threw him under the bus after game 6.
2005: Fulmer's first losing season ever.
My vote for worst year in 2005 because we lost to Vandy at home. Granted, it was to a Cutler led Vandy, but it was still Vandy.
blaconsults writes:
Please get this over with. Sadly, UT football has become irrelevant. It was unnecessary to allow the program to slowly sink this far. Fulmer's swan song was between 99 and 02. He was generously rewarded for his success. For the past several years he has been overcompensated. Fulmer is a good coach, at times a very good coach. Never has Fulmer been a great coach. Over the past decade, it seems that most weeks, UT is out-coached. Unprepared, poor execution is manifest in on field performance that the amazing talent often overcomes. A modern era coach must be a great motivator, teacher and leader. The true measure of a coach is how they perform with lesser talent. Ah shucks, work like heck, work to fix that,is no longer sufficient. Actually, it never was sufficient.
Being a Head Coach in the SEC requires a work ethic that virtually guarantees burnout within 5 or so years. After that period, one must delegate and develop successors, not fear them, or stifle alternative views and new ideas. Fulmer does not seem to understand that is a required trait of management longevity. What is wrong with changing coaches once a program has achieved great success, in order to continue to achieve greater success. I have never understood such management decisions. Sure, exceptions like Dooley, Jo Pa, Bowden, Summitt and others exists. Fulmer is not one of those elite coaches/motivators.
From the early 90's, I never felt that Fulmer got the most from the talent he and his coaches recruited,and they are proven recruiters. Clearly, they are mediocre at developing young talent. I think Cutcliffe and Chavis have proven to be terrific coordinators, Fulmer has been the weakest link, in my opinion. UT got very lucky in 98, needing miracles to win games. I am all for loyalty, but that is expensive to a multi-million dollar business of which many of us are stockholders. Recently, I have been hearing much about how GA, FL and AL had several tough years because they got the wrong coach to replace legends. Making decisions to maintain the status quo, out of fear of failure, guarantees long-term mediocrity.
I have waited a long time to put that in writing, I feel much better. Sadly, we got our butts kicked at So Carolina. Happily, it represents the certain capitulation to the end of the Fulmer era. Sorry Phil, but you should have moved on when you were still loved by most.
leedsvol2007 writes:
I voted for 1980. That team had real talent narrowly losing to outstanding Pitt and So Cal teams early. They went down to Auburn and crushed them. Auburn had Joe Cribbs and James Brooks both of whom may be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or at least candidates.
But the string of injuries that hit that team was incredible. By the time we got a bunch of guys back late we had lost several games that ordinarily we would have won. It set the program back several years.
I would pick 2005 as the 2nd.
In 88 we had a ton of injuries on the offensive line early in the season.
In 77 if it were not for Johnny Chavis, Pert Jenkins, and Craig Colquitt we would have gone 0-11. That team was really bad athletically.
This year looking at it preseason I thought it would come down to quarterback play. My worse fears have come true.
GoVols!
blitzshoot writes:
"88 team had a ton of talent.
Striker writes:
Fulmer wouldnt last a month at Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, or Alabama (we'll a day there). Thats the difference in our expectations and Championship programs.
Tennessee and others in the SEC at our level will/would keep him for decades. We are and have become in likes of Ole Miss, MS State, Kentucky, Vandy, etc....
Yee haw.
I'm redecorating my office in a new theme if Hamilton doesnt fire this over paid prima donna this month.
Call me fair-weathered, and then you can bite me.....
Ive given 40 years of concern for this joke, and i am taking my life back... What a fool ive been
JohnnyU writes:
I voted this year because this, to me is the most disappointing season in all of my 40 years watching UT. I say that because all of the other seasons mentioned had at least some quality wins. This year we will have no quality wins. The way this team has lost is the most disappointing. 1977 was hard, but Majors was turning the program around. 1980 I almost voted for, and that was very disappointing, but that did go down to Auburn and smoke them. '05 was bad but they were at least in games, usually. We are now consistently getting beaten up. Even they they weren't mentioned the 2002 team has to rank up there with underachievers. By the way, this poll says 45 years, that would take them back to 1963, right? I guess in those last couple of years before Dickey, losing seasons were expected.
tnbigg writes:
Tossup:
2005 2008
Triton1 writes:
You're right, but to me '05 was a bigger disappointment than those anyway. I think the KNS is fishing for people who want to bash this team.(which thet deserve)
Volalumnus writes:
Funny but wasn't Fulmer involved with all those disappointments?
golfnut0517 writes:
For me the last 5-6 years have been bad it is so dissappointing to turn on a CFB talk show or ESPN and never here Tenn. even mentioned in the NC race or even highly ranked in the polls or mentioned for a BCS bowl game(or even talked about highly).Fulmer had his moments of good coaching(never great)but that was 98-02' since then it has been a train-wreck going bad at every turn.I like everyone else on here have been a loyal fan and season ticket holder at some part of my life but afater watching this circus in Knoxville i gave up my tickets 4 years ago and i cannot believe that as big as this university is that they still let idiots like Fulmer and Hamilton be employed and bleed the university out of money.For the millionth time FIRE FULMER and Hamilton NOW!!!and start the search for a good canidate to bring the football program back to respectability and where teams that play us fear us especially in our home!
bretticus25#294810 writes:
1988, because I was in middle school and actually had more of a fanatic mind than I have now. Now that I'm grown up, and smart enough not to donate any money to a program that loses (no, I don't purchase tickets, pay per view games, buy their stuff, and yes, I turn the channel when they are getting stomped so that advertisements don't reach me), I really don't care all that much.
But, I do like to see them win.
Couchdummy writes:
The 2008 Vols were trumpeted in pre-season by the coaches, thus raising the expectations of the fans. Sports media was not allowed to view practice for the most part, therefore they simply reported the coaches statements. Practices were always "great" each week--according to the coaches. Fan expectations were raised or reinforced, so the loses beginning with UCLA brought disappointment with most every week. Additionally, the frustration was flamed by not seeing the best players being utilized. That is why I feel 2008 is the most disappointing.
murrayvol writes:
Say it ain't so Striker. We're gonna need fans from across the spectrum to get back to the middle of the pack.
murrayvol writes:
Same for me but this year stands out for several reasons:
1) Utter ineptitude
2) Lack of discipline
3) With few exceptions no fire
4) Clueless (incomprehensible) coaching and personnel decisions
5) Retreat to irrelevance
6) Inability of many to admit that any of the above were actually fact based
7) _____________________fill in the blank
murrayvol writes:
Fulmer missed the 1977 edition. He was still at Wichita St.
Smokey91 writes:
I would have to say this season is the biggest disappointment. In 2005 we did at least beat LSU in an amazing comeback. We all know that at #3, UT was overranked in 05.
I thought this year, we were supposed to have that new offense and a great OL line to protect Crompton. My biggest disappointment is that no one stepped up to correct this situation that many of us "non-professionals" saw coming 7 years ago. Fulmer needs to be fired if only for hiring Clawson. Dave Clawson is the my biggest disappointment of this year. It has been almost a year since he arrived and the offense still doosn't seem to know what they are doing. They look lost out there and no one of the staff knows what to do, especially Coach Phil.
DennisVols writes:
I used to believe the '05 season was the most disappointing season until last night.
This team has talent, maybe not as much as in '05, and is not only not competitive but with few exceptions has no heart or fight. They gave up last night, I saw it, the announcers saw it and this was by the end of the 1st half.
The players showed us how little confidence they have in this program of getting better. In '05 they never quit trying, fetal as it was, in '08 this season is done. I am having a hard time imagining wining next weeks game and can't imagine winning against Vandy of UK. They are like lost sheep on the field there is a conflict going on and I believe there is more to this than we know. They where taught Clawson's offense and never allowed to use it. No direction, no leadership, no wins.
Volalumnus writes:
murrayvol writes:
in response to Volalumnus:
Funny but wasn't Fulmer involved with all those disappointments?
Fulmer missed the 1977 edition. He was still at Wichita St.
Thanks for the info.
soooashamed writes:
it is absolutely feasible that tenn could go 3 and 9 this season.I'm 42 and I can't remember a season worse that that.
volwalker#243749 writes:
The '77 team was following a downward trend as Battle ran out of Dickey's recruits and the back-to-back 5 loss seasons in Battle's last 2 years. The '88 team followed a 2 loss/1 tie team in '87 that would have beaten Auburn had we not missed an easy FG, lost to an inferior BC team, and we were in a new trend of Majors being outcoached and suffering from brain-freeze against Bama. The '88 team lost to Duke (Spurrier) and then suffered 3 consecutive blowouts. The 2005 team is the most disappointing, as many others have stated, because of the pre-season hype. The 2008 team is just bad---due to the offense---but how good would they be if we had a quality QB? I was disappointed in the '89 through '93 teams (and the '99) because they each had National Championship talent that we never fulfilled.
West10VolNHouston writes:
I see that 44% of the people are voting this years team! Are you serious! As a realist, I looked at this years schedule and honestly said prior to the season starting that I had no idea how this season would turn out, but 2-4 after Georgia, and a 5-6 season were strong possibilities(obviously we are playing 12 games so miscalculation on losses but you get the idea)! We had virtually no idea what we were going to get at QB, a new offensive system, no proven big play threats at receiver, and had not shown the ability last year to pressure opposing QBs! Plus other than losing to crippled LSU last year, we gave up an average of 48 points a game in our losses! Hello,if you expected this team to go back to Atlanta this year then I would love to get my hands on the stuff that you guys were smoking, lol! I voted 2005! That team only lost to 2 football teams the year prior, an undefeated Auburn team twice(no shame there), and, well a shameful upset at the hands of Notre Dame at home! Returned players in key positions, most notably qb, and were expected to challenge for conference and national championship! Since when does being ranked 17th nationally and 3rd in your division bring those expectations?
stormblast writes:
I was too young for the 77' and 80' teams. I remember the 88' team. I think their schedule in the beginning was brutal. The 88' team pulled it together and won its remaining five...shows character.
The 2005 team was a disappointment obviously. But, the LSU comeback was great. The Vandy loss was bad.
I have to say this team is the most disappointing. Even if, we somehow pull it together and win out. Maybe make it to a low-level bowl game and win it giving us a winning record...this team through 9 games can't even keep a consistent drive going...at all. First downs are a minimum. The defense is good...Berry is a great player, but this team overall with special teams and lack-luster coaching has made fans apathetic. This team, unlike the others, are consistently making fundamental errors in every aspect of the game. This team...the worst I've seen.
DennisVols writes:
Well lets see. In 94,95, & 96 we finished 2nd in the East and in 97 we won the SEC title.
We have never lost to Memphis State our record against them is 14-0 last played in 1992
Against Memphis we lost just 1 game and it was our defense that gave up 21 points so how do you figure the QB had anything to do with that.
Manning only started in 3 games against UF and the offense scored 37, 29, & 20 in each of those games compared to the 6, 14, 9, & 6 we have put up against UF, UGA, UA & USC this year.
Again it was not Manning who gave UF 62, 35 & 33 points during those losses.
Nor was it Manning who gave up 42 points to Nebraska in the bowl game.
To say anything demeaning about a guy who gave his all for this team, turned down a NFL offer to play one more year than he had or needed to is nuts. Manning was the ultimate team player and if you thiink otherwise you know nothing of the game or those teams. It was Manning who encouraged the receiver to spend extra time on the field to develop the timming that was necessary for them to be as good as they were. It was that push for perfection that carried over the next year and gave us the N.C..Coach Cut made a comment once that Manning made him a better coach because of his desire to be a better player. Never was satisfied with his own performance no matter how good it was. He spent hours in the film room following a game, even night games, trying to figure out what he did wrong in each game and what he needed to do to correct it.
He is one of if not the best QB in the NFL now because of that desire, heart and never settling for not improving in his own game to make his team better.
UT did not lose to UF, Memphis or Nebraska because of Manning they lost because the TEAM did not do everything they needed to, to win those games.
This team this year has none of the qualities that Manning or any of the players had in 97 or 98. The coaching is not there and no kind of field leadership like we had with Manning, Wilson, Price, Martin and others.
So grow up and learn something about UT's history before you open your mouth and show how little you do know.
One man cannot win a football game and one man cannot lose it either. That is why we use the word team. Manning was and will always be a team player.
BillsBrother writes:
Your bigotry is tiresome.
TommyJack writes:
The K on the helmet stands for Krappy.
powtuck writes:
How about the '58 team, just two years from 10-0, finish 4-6 and a loss to Chattanooga?
wmainhotrods writes:
Amen brother!!
DennisVols writes:
Apparently you were not there because the last time UT played "Memphis State" was in 1992 and Manning was in HS then.
You apparent lack of knowledge about UT sports is only surpassed by your stupid statements that would blame a loss on any one player or how they may be doing in any one season.
Manning is still considered one of the top QB's in the NFL. How many MVP's has Woodson won by the way, how many Superbowl rings is he currently wearing? How many Superbowl MVP's has he won?
The answer is simple it is the same number and the amount of class you apparently have 0
"Not one of the best " Since when have you ever been considered a reliable or educated source of talent knowledge.
So go crawl back into you corner and take off the tunnel vision glasses along with your fantasy hat that seems to make you believe you have been somewhere or done something that somehow makes you an expert in judging talent.
volwalker#243749 writes:
Majors lasted from '77-'92 ONLY because the scrutiny of big-time college football was not what it is today. His first 6 years, he was 35-32-2. With that kind of record and going 6-5-1 in '82 (his 6th year), that would have been it IF those 6 years had happened in today's environment. Majors lost 4 or more games SEVEN times! Ironically, in what could be Fulmer's last year, this is the SEVENTH time he has lost 4 or more games.
thevoice writes:
Brother, you need to be examined. You know absolutely nothing about this program. Please be a man and leave this site and go get your prescriptions refilled. Throw in a lobotomy while you're at it.
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