Jarvis Giles isn’t letting a disappointing loss to Florida or some Neyland Stadium boo birds alter his conviction.
“Win or loss, it didn’t really matter because I know I’m going to be a Vol,” said Giles, who committed to Tennessee in June. “I committed. I’m going to stay a Vol.”
Giles said he heard the questions about his commitment even before Saturday’s 30-6 loss to the Gators. People would ask him if he would waver if the Vols lost to Florida?
“Nah, once I committed, I’m going to keep my word,” the 6-foot, 185-pound tailback from Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla., would say in response.
The boos weren’t as easy to deal with as the loss. As Giles and UT quarterback commitment Josh Nunes sat together, they both grew concerned about fan reaction to UT’s offense.
“That kind of bothered both of us a little bit,” Giles said. “Why would your own fans boo you?
“I felt pretty depressed. I hope I don’t get any boos anytime soon.”
Giles’ positive attitude works well for the Vols. One of UT’s key commitments, Giles is one of the top 100 prospects in the nation and will enroll at UT in January.
Also, Giles isn’t just a prospect; he’s a recruiter. As he’s done for weeks, Giles was working Memphis receiver Marlon Brown all weekend.
“Me and him were kicking it,” Giles said. “I’m real cool with Marlon.”
Giles also had his sights set on Morgan Moses, the 6-7, 345-pound offensive lineman from Meadowbrook High in Richmond, Va. Moses is one of the elite offensive line prospects in the nation.
“He loves it,” Giles said of Moses. “I told him once you come up here, you won’t want to leave. He feels real comfortable with Tennessee. Hopefully he commits soon.
“That’s a must have. We have to get him.”
The eternal optimist, one could almost hear Giles smiling during a phone interview as he shared his recruiting efforts this weekend.
“Oh yeah,” Giles said. “I think I wooed a lot of them in.”
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Comments » 106
scvols writes:
The fans are not booing the players, they are booing the coaches. UT had a great chance to have a top 5 recruiting class, but with the UCLA loss on national TV and now the UF loss on national TV they will be lucky to have a top 15 class.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
gosh...just don't invite any prospects to the game when florida is in town....
scvols writes:
Clawson has a good excuse, he can claim that these players do not match his scheme. But UT has had a problem scoring TD's in the orange zone against good teams since 2000. Just has not been able to run the ball into the endzone.
junder13 writes:
My props to you, Giles, for seeing the positive. I truly believe the boos were fans expressing their displeasure for the direction the program's headed in, not the players. If you stick with UT, for your sake, I hope you have a better coaching staff who will develop and utilize you better than this current staff utilizes the current talent on the team. It starts at the top.
Keep up the positive attitude and hopefully UT football will make our state and alumni proud again, with our without Fulmer. I def hope to see you, Nunes, Marlon Brown and Morgan Moses in orange (as well as many others). Perhaps you will be a part of a rebuilding phase that fans will never forget!
CampVol writes:
Gotta say that I wasone booing. Although, I was boing the coaches, I am sorry that it had an effect on the recruits. I have been a strong supporter of Fulmer over the last few years, but I have NEVER EVER seen a team so unprepared to play as they were yesterday. It was totally unacceptable, especially when you pay that much money to drive two hours, take time away from the wife and kids, spend all this d$7n time on the internet kepping up on the latest Vol news. We put so much into this pragram and twam, I just can't beleive that they would be so careless, and I mean CARELESS as to play the way they did yesterday. It's just unacceptable. I hope al these players that were there yesterday do come to play in Big Orange Country, but I am but I am beginning to hope they have a new coaching staff to play for.
imnotwithphil writes:
The fans are NOT booing the players - they are booing the coaching staff and in particular CPF.
You better grow some thick skin Jarvis - more boos are on their way. There is one guy that can stop it - and that's your coach. He can put his school ahead of his paycheck and step down. When Fulmer leaves, the booing will stop.
On the positive side - attendence will take a nose dive after the Vols lose to Auburn - so there will be FEWER people booing the next time you play in Neyland.
FlaVol2 writes:
Based on yesterday, we need more like you Giles.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Well simple. You come to UT and produce, then you won't get booed. The coaches, players, and admin whoever was getting booed Saturday was because of a 9 year capitalization of being silent to a lack of production.
Tennessee fans are a pissed off bunch right now. They are done. If morale doesn't improve then those boos will turn into nothing but empty seats. Then we'll be "staying the course" all the way to Miami status.
BigVolOnBoard writes:
Get real folks, I stopped drinking the orange kool aid last night and finally I see the light.
This guy is only coming here because Florida doesn't want him, why else would you come to Tennessee?
DennisVols writes:
The talent is here now to win these types of football games. Why is it that the ones in the higher chain of command can't see that. It all goes back to coaching the fundamentals. Penatlies, turnovers, poor clock management in scoring opportunties are the effects of poor teaching. This team looked better during the O&W game than they do now. Why is that?
newtonrail writes:
I said it in another thread and probably got blasted. Haven't looked. Been coming to games since '56 and a Tennessee Grad, not just Fan. Booing high school and college players has never been acceptable, and never will be with anyone with an ounce of class. No one who actually played the game in high school will boo players. I am a season ticket holder, and will stick with team. Coaches are a separate issue. As far previous posters saying they aren't booing players, that it's for some "higher motive" against program direction or coaches; those there know better. The preponderance of the booing was at Crompton or the Offensive Unit, etc. You can't boo a coach and it be understood as that unless it's a 4Th down decision or something similar. To the the Prospective Recruits, there was no one around me booing, of course two fair weather fans sold their seats to Florida people, so they were happy.
rootin4volz writes:
Booing coaches or booing players, it still goes to the perception that these recruits have...Keep it up, ya ding-bat boo-birds, if you want the program to slip even further than it already is.
givehim6 writes:
Found the cure for the UT hangover, the TITANS all W's. I wandered if the booing would affect requting.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Booing..ha ha..u better stop going if u ever want an end to the Fulmer era
hufstedler02 writes:
No. They were booing the coaches and the players.
BSweet writes:
It hurts to hear a commitment talk like this. I've said before, I'm not for the booing of players. At the same time, I completely understand the frustration of those who were booing. I'm not one of the ones who have called for Fulmer's head for a long period of time. I've held onto hope that he would turn it around. But this season, that hope has faded. The orange blinders have come off and I have begun to recognize the slide we have been on for quite some time now. I would love for us to get these great recruits, but even if we do, will CPF ever turn their potential into reality? I've lost faith in his ability to do that. It actually hurts to watch TN football right now. Players are making mistakes that they wouldn't if they were properly coached and disciplined. And for those blaming the players, I could see one mistake as their fault, but when they continue to make the same mistakes(such as false starts)that reflects lack of discipline which reflects lack of coaching. I would love for CPF to turn it around somehow. I actually like the guy. But I have lost my faith in him as a coach. His players are not giving him their all and it's his fault for accepting less than 110%. If the seniors don't want to put forth the effort, give the younger guys a chance. I would rather lose with players giving it their all than players who put forth a poor effort. The coaches need to reevaluate their team and find out who really wants to play for THE University of Tennessee(and not for themselves like Crompton apparently does). Right now, this team lacks heart. Those who spoke to the press didn't even seem that bothered by the loss. They seemed more bothered by fans who can't accept the poor effort we are seeing. It's a sad time for Vol fans. I WILL GIVE MY ALL FOR TENNESSEE. I'm not sure they gave even half.
hufstedler02 writes:
If it bothers you that bad, just imagine what it does to Fulmer. Do you honestly think he doesn't care? He's been a Vol since what, the 60's. We are talking over 40 years. He will right the ship. He did last year. Oh yeah, that was a fluke. I forgot.
teedub writes:
Booing is part of the game, not a display of "poor taste" as many have noted. Throwing things, hurling personal insults, cursing...those are in poor taste. Thicken up the skin a little bit because this is (or used to be) big time college football.
I thought it was good to see the boos after the complete mismanagement at the end of the 2nd quarter. It shows that the fans at Neyland still have some heart and still have a pulse.
taylor660909#210562 writes:
exactly how would a recruit know the UT fans were booing the coaches and not the players?? I was there for the entire game and I am not sure who was being booed!
hufstedler02 writes:
Since you obviously know more about football than Coach Fulmer, put your reusme in. This decade the Vols are 72-33. Three SEC title games.
CatScratchFever writes:
Well...pounding the rock and workin like heck is not getting it done.
wildberry14 writes:
i dont wanna hear this nonsense about not booing. i pay money and i dont like what i see.im not gonna ignore fumbles inside the 5 yard line. i feel so bad for eric berry. he could have gone anywhere, and for some reason he chose here. he must wake up and regret that decision every day
pammyvol1000 writes:
knoxsingle, ditto!
Welcome Jarvis, I too look forward to seeing you play.
We have die hard fans! We are proud to have you wear the orange.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Just one more thing.. what would happen if the fans cheered.. " Let's go Crompton".. maybe his confidence would come back and the nervous mistakes would go away..
How would that make all the players feel? How would that make the recruiting visitors feel?
Now with that said... let's get ready for Auburn.
Volalumnus writes:
Why worry about a recruit coming in and getting mis-coached.
If booing helps find those who in it for TN and making TN better and not for there own cheering section, then I am all for booing.
Too many supposed "greats" coming in and not producing on the field. Whether it be the coaches or players fault, we are at a point to make changes or sink. Not worry about someones feeling. snif. snif
junder13 writes:
You whinny posters who are crying about the booing need to realize it's one of the few ways Vol fans can show they're fed up with UT football. Season ticket holders can't get refunds so unless they stop going to the home games (which they will now do en mass unison) then booing is about the only effective way to show dissatisfaction. And it obviously worked this Saturday!
If the fans weren't booing they'd not have the effect they need to have. I say continue doing it until a change is made. Not enough dissatisfaction was shown last year and what did disgruntled fans get from Hamilton as a result: A SEVEN YR CONTRACT EXTENSION AND RAISE for the coach that's been on the hot seat for quite a while now! Representing the SEC East last year did not change my opinion of Foolmer. We barely got by several teams last year (Kentucky, Vandy, South Carolina, etc) to even make the SEC Championship game, which we backed into!
Boo and/or stop going to the games! It's the only way to get a change. You ppl saying that booing is classless don't know how to get needed change. Ask Florida about booing and dropping attendance in the Zook era.
junder13 writes:
Besides, I agree 100% with teedub:
Booing is part of the game, not a display of "poor taste" as many have noted. Throwing things, hurling personal insults, cursing...those are in poor taste. Thicken up the skin a little bit because this is (or used to be) big time college football.
I thought it was good to see the boos after the complete mismanagement at the end of the 2nd quarter. It shows that the fans at Neyland still have some heart and still have a pulse.
junder13 writes:
Oh, and another thing:
In our present situation, I'll take the crowd booing endlessly if it finally results in a change over being quiet and getting a great recruiting class! Although our recruiting has dropped off, it's not like we haven't been able to recruit big time players this decade. Why should fans be quiet when UT football has become such a disgrace just so that we can get more recruits that our coaching staff will be just as ineffective with? It's not the recruits and players (the talents already there), it's the COACHES! With that in mind, it doesn't matter who we get, with these coaches we'll always see disappointing play!
junder13 writes:
Last thought:
The posters crying and complaining over the boos in the stadium will get what they ask for after we lose to Auburn and Georgia. The rest of the season you won't have to deal with all the boos as much b/c UT fans will move from anger and frustration into a stage of apathy. Look back to 2005 if you are curious what that looks and feels like. That was my senior year and not many people booed at the end of the season. We acceptable our fate then much like fans will after the next 2 weeks.
So then you can stop crying about all the boos and cheer Foolmer on all you want! ha
TurboFan writes:
That wasn't booing? The crowd was just celebrating the great play of Boo Weekly in the Ryder Cup. They didn't know the game had started.
stroker writes:
Booing your team is equal to home town folks going on enemy sports talk radio and trashing their team. If you boo your team you are equal to those who curse their sons little league coach and offials. You have no class. You don't know what is or is not class. Booing ametauer teams is trash not class. CF and Hamilton know more than you how bad it is. Boo birds only tell the players and recruits how bad the fans are. More if I had time---------
kkirk2#381492 writes:
Amen to that! And anybody who truly believes we made it to that SEC Championship game on merit and not on a technicality, well, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona I'm needing to unload...
GreerVol22 writes:
I say Boo all you want. This is the flippin SEC, This is UT, and what happened is beyond embarrasing and is unexcusable. I would not want to play for a staff that can't even get a QB to run a play, a line to stay set, cover a kick, or blitz on 3rd and 15....so recruits...I wouldn't blame you a bit if....
stroker writes:
How can a tem win the SEC east without merit?
If you boo your team you are equal to those who curse their sons little league coach and offials. You have no class. You don't know what is or is not class. Booing ametauer teams is trash not class. CF and Hamilton know more than you how bad it is. Boo birds only tell the players and recruits how bad the fans are. More if I had time---------
Volalumnus writes:
Ohhhh!
I thought we were cheering a good coach!
Bruuuuuuuuuce!
ncvol writes:
I have read some of the posts and feel I need to express my feelings about the booing and the quick exits of the fans at the game. This is so sad that the fans of UT have turned into fair weather fans.If you support a team - you support a team if it wins or if it loses. Don't become a fan that would boo your own players and coaches. If you do - you are not a fan.... A Fan stands by you through the bad times as well as the good. Don't boo your own team for heavens sake.
I was more ashamed of the fans than I was of our team and coaches. It was a sad time for a vol fan. I almost thought we were in NY or NJ. Come on and cheer for your team - that is what a fan is suppose to do. Go Vols
Volalumnus writes:
If you have a problem with the booing then you might not want to show up for too many more games at UT this year.
If you have a problem with the booing, then you should have a bigger problem with the coaches.
They can control that.
utduke writes:
I wish many vol fans acted like adults and showed respect for players by not booing like children. I also wish more folks would stand for the alma mater. geez.
PEARLIFIC writes:
booing you're own team and coaches is foolish! it does zero good and lots of harm. use these type forums to voice an opinion. don't boo an amateur that is busting their tail to compete. go to a pro game and boo all you want-unless you have the nads to boo eric berrye and rico mccoy to their face!
Volalumnus writes:
I suggest some of you reframe from going to any more games as long as Fulmer is coach if you wilt at booing.
No one forces the players or the coaches to be on the field. If they don't like it, then they can choose not to be on it.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Hey Jarvis, I don't know if the fans were boo'ing the players as much as they were boo'ing the coaches.
If any player got booed, it was Crompton. So Nunes, you could seriously start next season. No joke.
invisiblekid writes:
I respect these players too much to boo anyone in Neyland Stadium except for the opposing team. Tough to make a distinction between booing the coaches and the players when it's coming out of a crowd of 100,000+. I don't particularly like a few and others frustrate me to no end, but they all put much more effort into playing for the Vols than I do in watching them.
The bad thing is that this newfound sensitivity to booing by the players is likely a direct reflection of Fulmer's attitude.
"That probably comes from the coaches,'' head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "That was probably said somewhere and they were just repeating what the coaches said.
Volalumnus writes:
No I run the place and I wouldn't be OK with it because it is a place of private work, I don't invite them there and I certainly haven't charged them to be there.
Now If my client Booed my work, that would be distressing.
They are charging and are not delivering. Boooo
Next.
Refund.
Volalumnus writes:
TN has just changed is pricing after securing Fulmer for additional years to help quiet criticism of Fulmer.
Hamilton will probably raise prices again.
Actually if they have scholorships they are not supposed to have part time jobs.
If any of them don't like it, they can suck it up or someone who can will take their place.
Better yet get Coaches and players that don't give the fans reason to Boo.
There are much more things to be criticle of with what is going on than Boooing.
Refund
Volalumnus writes:
Now we are talking summer.....who cares.
There are many students that work full time jobs while going to school.
That doesn't entitle them to be on the field.
I would argue those crying about it shouldn't see it.
Why do people constantly latch on and defend people they have seen but really don't know?
There are many other atheletes doing the same thing on the team but they haven't been given a chance yet. They won't have a chance either with these others ahead of them. I bet many would welcome the opportunity to be booed for that chance.
They need to quit winning about it as an entitlement and see it as the privilege that it is. They can't handle it, too bad.
You want someone to blame look at the coaches that are not doing what they need to have them in the right places and abviously are not giving them the mental toughness they need.
faithfulvol writes:
The fans have been pathetic.....They make a bad situation...worse. Instead of leaving at half time....just stay at home. If you can't cheer in the bad times...don't cheer in the good times...plain and simple! Bandwagons!
et_vol_fan writes:
I guess that we are spoiled to winning? 8-4 should never get a contract extension at UT. This isn't Vandy (4-0 I might add) where 8-4 would be cause for celebration.
So attacking the fans for booing is acceptable huh? Look at this way. A family of 4 spends $200 for tickets and $40 for gas money if they have to travel a 100 miles to get to the game. Then you count the $3.50 cokes in the stadium. Say everyone consumes 2. That's $14. Everyone gets one hot dog, another $14. Then after the game they stop and get a $50 dollar meal at say Applebees or a similiar style place. Ok lets add it up really quick? If I have added correctly that comes up to $328 to make a trip to Knoxville to see UT get it handed to them like a junior high team. I'm not saying to expect to win every game. That's not my point. My point is for them to be at least competitive and that's not happening right now. It's a poor product on the field and people are going to stop blowing $350 to come to Neyland to see them get destroyed. No fans=No coke/popcorn sales. Ask Jerry Green about coke and popcorn sales.
Volalumnus writes:
Those that cheer in bad times are called the opponents.
You know the other team.
The coaches are in full control of the fans.
The question is whether they are good enough coaches to give the fans something to cheer about.
Unfortunetly it appears not.
et_vol_fan writes:
correction $28 for cokes...making the grand total $342. My bad.
Volalumnus writes:
et_vol Try around $250 a weekend for gas.
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