The number of players leaving Tennessee's football program either by their own choice or the coaching staff's continues to grow... This one is pretty big as Coleman was the fan favorite to win the starting QB job for the fall. http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/apr/23/coleman-wont-return-to-ut/
B J was my favorite as well. I wish him well where ever he lands but that was his choice. If he doesn't want to be a Vol, I don't want him. When we take the field this year, I want a team effort not individual concerns.
sounds like he quit on the program. he's a sophomore. even if Crompton has a great year, he'd be 'the guy' for the next two seasons since he was so clearly the #2.. if he was afraid of competing with Crompton, what would he do if Kiffin landed a stud QB in the next class? You guys have it right. I don't have a dog in this fight, but I want guys who wanna play for my side. Wish him well and move on.
He not only quit the program, he burned bridges. Chances are that he will wind up at UT Chattanooga never to be heard from again. All he would have to do is wait for Crompton to fall on his face within the first two games and he would be inserted. Now he has blown that chance.
Read between the lines evidence that the reporter for this article did not 100% believe what Coleman said.
I tried to post something along those lines earlier but for some reason I couldn't get it to post. I see what you're saying about him sticking around waiting for Crompton to fall on his face too. If what Coleman is preaching is gospel then why would he shy away when he knows that Crompton is going to fail when the lights are on? I think he's as scared of a healthy Stephens as he is Crompton. I attended the spring game and I have to say I think Coleman looked the best but most of the routes were short. I don't think Coleman has the arm strength necessary to run the entire playbook. One particular route that required some zip, he sailed into the ground. Now, if you watched the Vols last year you know that Crompton had his fair share of those too but he and Stephens can throw the deep ball. I'm wondering if Coleman can... Another note that I've let go over the last few months is the fact that CLK has let a lot of players walk either by not feeding them bull to lead them on thinking they're going to get playing time or by simply dismissing them. This hasn't been just players that he doesn't need either. Starting safety Demetrice Morley, promising RB Lennon Creer, and several players along the offensive line and one from the defensive line have either walked or been let go. Kiffin has been brutally honest and upfront and in case you haven't seen Tennessee's depth chart along the lines, they need all the warm bodies they can get especiallly in the next couple of years. I applaud Kiffin for 1)not putting up with any crap, and 2) not telling players only what they want to hear. That said, there are rumors that a kid from Georgia who originally committed to the Dawgs but whose scholarship offer was rescinded may try to sign on with the Vols. Apparently the kid had an altercation with a teacher. Now, normally I would see immediate red flags with taking this kid especially under the old regime. However, if CLK chooses to take a chance on this kid I don't have many doubts because I feel confident that the instant he messes up, he'll be gone.
It's called planning for the future. Lane does not have to produce his first year. He doesn't have to produce his second year. The QB he wants will only be a soph in his 3rd year. He knows that expectations will be sky high in his 4th year. Showing discipline now will pay dividends for the future. Go ahead Lane. Field a 30 person roster this year if you have to. Just make sure that those 30 people want to be Volunteers! Show them that you are committed to the team, not the player. This is what turned me agaist Fulmer. If you remember, I was ready to get rid of him before the 2008 season. Then he started showing some backbone in suspending players and eliminating off the field issues. I then gave him three years to turn it around. Hamilton did not see it that way and I understand. Fulmer was a player's coach. I want a leader that is highly respected by the players, not necessarily liked by the players.
If you mean that CLK doesn't have to compete for SEC/national titles in his first and second years, I agree. However, I think there will be considerable heat placed on him if Tennessee doesn't show significant progress in becoming more competitive with the elite in the conference. I think he can get by around .500 this season but next season I think he needs to win 8 or 9 and be competitive in the losses. The reason I say this is because he's such a polarizing figure that if he doesn't have success you will see a divided UT nation rather quickly. Already there are some fans on the message boards questioning his methods. Kiffin is in a difficult situation replacing a coach that many still admired and trying to reunite the Vol faithful. He has done an excellent job in ratcheting up the excitement in Knoxville but it's going to take W's to heal the wounds.
Just understand the complete picture: He has taken over for a coach that wanted the friendship of the players more than he wanted the respect. When you replace that coach with a disciplinarian, players rebel. They leave the program because they have been used to the easy street. We as fans have to trust in the methodology that Lane is using. He has to determine who is ready to play, who is ready to do what it takes to play, and who should hit the highway. He is going to lose depth when the "me first" players leave. This might very well cost us a few victories in year 1. Year 2 may not be very much better than year 1. Year 3 will be where his recruits are now Sophomores and Juniors and will be the turn around year that we Vol fans looking for. These are the expectations of a realist. An Optimist may expect much more. A Pessimist might expect the bottom to fall out worse than 2008. Anything better than these expectations will be the result of Lane's dedication to discipline and the remaining players dedication to the orange and white uniforms they wear.
You don't have to convince me. I'm with ya. I believe that by 2011 Tennessee will begin to get back to what Tennessee football was 10 years ago. I agree with what he's doing completely. However, there are those who are questioning what he's doing. I think you have to give a coach at least 3 years to see what he's truly about and I think 5 years gives you a better opportunity for assessment. Whether he does really good in the first couple of years (example Weiss, Charlie) or really bad in the first two is quite irrelevant. The problem I foresee with this staff is the fact that the national spotlight has been shining on Knoxville ever since Kiffin took over and everytime it starts to point another direction, he says something else to pull the light back toward the Vols. That's great when all is well but if he starts consistently losing football games by wide margins even in the first couple of years, the criticism nationally will skyrocket. That will only add fuel to the fire for the Tennessee fans who seem to forever be unhappy.
OK... We're on the same wavelength! 8) It's you and me against the other 107,000 drunken hillbillies in a few years! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I hope that the Optimists are right and we have much success this year. I will gladly let the other 107,000 drunken hillbillies laugh and point fingers at me. That I will gladly accept! :wink: