SB Nation User Blog: Getoffmyvols

My job right now is to help UT be the program it used to be. Those good old days need to be now, in...

Getoffmyvols — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:40:40 -0000

My job right now is to help UT be the program it used to be. Those good old days need to be now, in the present. And I want it to be that way not just for my four years but even beyond that. I want to come back like Peyton Manning and keep an eye on things and make sure it's going the way it should."

Jacques Smith per Cattanooga TFP

I love this kid.

The Search for Tennessee's next Quarterback

Getoffmyvols — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:08:24 -0000

One thing that we know Kiffin and his staff have been selling to recruits is their ability to put kids in the NFL. Part of that sales pitch is referencing players that were drafted highly after playing in their system, specifically when it comes to Quarterbacks; Carson Palmer (1st Overall), Matt Leinart (10th Overall) , and Mark Sanchez (5th Overall) at USC and OC Jim Chaney has Drew Brees (2nd Round) to lean on from his time at Purdue.

As I look at what's been happening around this recruiting season with regards to Quarterback prospects, I have to wonder if Kiffin is shying away from players that may be solid college QB’s but might not be the best pro prospects, and if that is a good approach to take.

I started thinking about this when Kiffin said thanks but no thanks to Tahj Boyd, claiming he wouldn’t fit into Kiffin’s pro style system. However, I seem to remember during Boyd’s initial commitment to Tennessee that he the reason he backed off of his original West Virginia commitment and looked to Tennessee was because of their pro style attack, specifically saying that his real strength was his ability to drop back and throw rather than being the zone read spread and shred QB that he was pegged as early on. Maybe Kiffin didn’t see the drop back passer he was looking for in Boyd, but based on what I read and heard about his performance at various camps and All American games, the kid can play. However some of his measurable features specifically his height 6’1 lead conventional minds to believe he won’t be a big time pro prospect.

Another case is Barry Brunetti, although he reportedly has an offer in the mail, it seemed the staff was a little slow in opening the door of scholarship to the Memphis signal caller. Barry plays also in a spread offense in high school and is only 6’1. Clearly however they did eventually see enough in Brunetti to offer him a scholarship.

Maybe it’s that Kiffin is looking for a guy who can hit the ground running with his system and some of these spread guys will take a little more seasoning. But I can’t help but wonder if coach is dead set on getting a guy who is going to be a big name on draft day and help cement his reputation as a coach who puts kids in the league. With the fact that the 2010 class has only 4 Quarterback’s in the rivals 100 and none of them crack the top 50, you have to wonder if Lane Kiffin’s dream quarterback is even out there this year. I think passing on Boyd may have put him in a tougher position than he anticipated (all due respect to Bryce Petty).

Ultimately the Quarterback(s) that end up signing are going to be crucial to Kiffin’s success at Tennessee. He knows this, the staff knows this. Which is why it’s understandable that they’re being so selective and careful in their evaluations, but so far it seems like the search isn’t quite what Kiffin had in mind. And, with Phillip Sims, Jake Heaps, Blake Bell, and now Nick Montana already off the table, Kiffin better have something up his sleeve.

"I don't have to worry about all the crap you face in the SEC with its ridiculous, nit-picky rules...

Getoffmyvols — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:50:32 -0000

"I don't have to worry about all the crap you face in the SEC with its ridiculous, nit-picky rules and regulations on everything you do. I'm a guy who likes to walk down the street and not have to worry all the time about people watching me, waiting on me to screw up. I have that here."

Tony Franklin on his new gig at MTSU

Do teams underachieve or does the media overassess?

Getoffmyvols — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:51:01 -0000

This is a thought I’ve kind of bounced around in my head for a little while now and decided to try and put it out there.

Today when I was reading through the Heisman Pundits most overrated coaches in college football, there was one line that really struck a chord with me. In his blurb about Mark Richt, whom he has rated as the 8th most overrated coach in the country, he says

“Nice man. Program is very good. But will he ever win big when he’s supposed to (like 2008)?”

This sort of thing really bugs me. When MSM types spout off on when a team is supposed to be good and criticize a coach for not having their programs succeed at the highest level when they are “supposed to”.

To me it seems more like the Media monster likes to detract from the fact that their predictions and preseason assessments really have no validity or accuracy. Now I’m being a little hypocritical here because I sink my teeth into just as much preseason literature as the next fan, and I constantly feed the very beast that I’m being critical of. But what bothers me is when a program or coach gets blasted for having what if looked at objectively could really be seen as a decent season, just because they didn’t live up to your inaccurate predictions.

I realize I’m quoting a blogger who was just trying to fill the hours and get some hits. But this could also be used to describe Bruce Pearl’s squad this year. Did they underperform? Or did we simply over assess? Looking back on the year you could make the argument that we could have seen it coming. Losing your top 4 guards from the previous year as well as an experienced post player coming into his junior year and you’re supposed to improve as a team?

In general I think we just need to be careful when we judge a coaches worth based on how they perform when they’re supposed to be good vs. when they’re not.

Not missing a beat Kiffin said "Well, you can tell she is a Florida Gator, she's been drinking all...

Getoffmyvols — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:07:46 -0000

Not missing a beat Kiffin said "Well, you can tell she is a Florida Gator, she's been drinking all day." Making mention of the beer in her had. Again laughter from everyone including her. The funniest part was as soon as he said it turned to look at the cameras at the side of the room and said "Aw man, they got me again."

Clay Travis covers Kiffin's appearance at the Young Professionals of Knoxville

Very encouraged to learn that JPs shoulder isn't as bad as his other one was last year. Sounds like...

Getoffmyvols — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:59:22 -0000

Very encouraged to learn that JPs shoulder isn't as bad as his other one was last year. Sounds like he should be getting shots up sooner.

Per Bruce Pearl's Twitter

Former Miami quarterback Robert Marve is considering walking on at Tennessee

Getoffmyvols — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:06:59 -0000

Former Miami quarterback Robert Marve is considering walking on at Tennessee

Per Chris Low

"The Florida coaching staff will not be riding around in limos or ripping off our shirts."

Getoffmyvols — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:27:04 -0000

"The Florida coaching staff will not be riding around in limos or ripping off our shirts."

Urban Meyer gives his very Urban Meyeresque opinion on SEC recruiting.

Whatever Foster plays, he just hopes he's not asked to flip sides on the offensive line as he did...

Getoffmyvols — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:42:46 -0000

Whatever Foster plays, he just hopes he's not asked to flip sides on the offensive line as he did under former offensive coordinator Dave Clawson last season.

"As far as that strong/weakside stuff," Foster said, "I wouldn't venture that I would ever see that again."

Ramon Foster on his opportunity with the Steelers

Orgeron returns to college with passion

Getoffmyvols — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:14:12 -0000

Orgeron returns to college with passion

Great read about Orgeron the coach as well as darecruita.