Denial, meet Anger.
We've had a good run, Denial. These last few months have been great. I know you've been interested in me for a long time, you've wanted this relationship to work for probably the last several years. And after I saw you again on Labor Day, I couldn't resist.
And the truth is, you're probably better for me than Anger. I'm probably a better person when I'm around you instead.
But see, I hadn't seen Anger since I was young. She's a part of my childhood. And last night...well, I'm ashamed to say it, but she's just more attractive than you. Dressed in red and singing those songs...I can't resist anymore, Denial. I'm sure you'll find somebody else. I know some guys up in Columbus who are interested. But me...I've gotta go where my heart leads me. And right now, my heart is full of Anger. She burns in me with a crimson flame.
I hope we can still be friends.
I've got a word to describe what happened in Neyland Stadium last night:
Unacceptable.
In the last two seasons, the Vols have been beaten 59-20 and 30-6 by Florida. And now, we've been on the receiving end of a 41-17 thrashing in Tuscaloosa, and a 29-9 slow death in Knoxville from our biggest rivals.
Unacceptable.
And it's nothing new. The Vols have no running game despite every ounce of the same talent that was on the field last season. They miss more field goals than they make, pick the worst possible times for penalties...
And when they finally, finally made something good happen by leveling Javier Arenas on a punt return...it didn't matter.
First and goal at the five? Field goal. Blocked punt that gives you the ball at the Bama 32? Nothing. First and 10 at the 14 on a drive that could've given you life in the locker room? More nothing.
It's the same sad song and dance we've seen against UCLA, it's the reason the Vols were dead at the half against the Gators, it's the reason the Vols couldn't get one - ONE - first down to beat an Auburn team that looks just as lifeless, and it's the reason that Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer simply did what they do and ended us, nice and slow.
I hate watching them celebrate in our building. I hate hearing their song. I hate seeing that many of them in our student section and where our season ticket holders should be.
And I hate this:
"It was like a home game out there for us." - Alabama OL Andre Smith
Unacceptable.
I love Phillip Fulmer.
But this has to change.
Because there's no more room for Denial. You'd have to be certifiable to think that this team is good. And you have to imagine reasons that it will get better in 2009.
Getting most of the pieces back from an inept - because that's the best word to describe it - offense really doesn't mean much. And the Vols are wasting a once-in-a-generation talent like Eric Berry.
Fulmer has a losing record against the head coaches of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and the ghost of Steve Spurrier.
Spurrier's Gamecocks, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are left on the SEC slate. Fulmer is 43-2 against those teams. But at this point, will it really matter if he goes 46-2 against them, and then the Vols beat Random Average Team in Random Average Bowl?
And what's worse...even if the Vols lose to Carolina/Kentucky/Vandy, a significant percentage just doesn't care anymore. We've been saying all year that you can't be this frustrated for too long, because eventually you pull the plug. Basketball season is three weeks away. And we'll gladly give our money to Bruce Pearl. Apathy is at the doorstep and knocking for many.
As for me...what I saw in there last night was unacceptable. Credit the Vols for playing hard. Credit Alabama for doing what it had to do. Credit lots of things for Tennessee simply not having enough talent to be in the same sentence as the SEC's elite right now.
But regardless of any factors, what we've seen is unacceptable. I'm furious. And the entire Tennessee Football program has to do what it has to do to make this right.
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9 comments:
You should reconsider your stance on advertising. I can't wait to see which major blogs and news sites link to this. Granted I'm sickly, but I never imagined I'd leave a Bama game with time remaining.
Like I said in my post. I wanted us to win but I wanted the loss more because I want change. I honestly think the problem is Fulmer. I believe he is holding on to old ways that aren't working anymore. I believe that Cutcliffe was the discipline for the team. I think that the past 6 or 7 years has finally caught up with us. UT should not bottom out where we are right now. We should have never made it to this point. Like I've said before, I don't expect a national championship nor a SEC title every year, but I do expect us to be in the hunt and the talk.
So, are you calling for a change at the top, Will?
Mr. Milani - I can't stomach wanting us to lose. It goes against what it means to be a fan. Even if things never should have gotten this bad, you don't pull against your team.
Mr. Sensible - after Florida, I said we needed an exit strategy, and hoped Fulmer would announce that 2009 would be his last season...because the man has done so much for this program, he deserves better. And after Mississippi State, I believed one last time that things could still get better. But this team is atrocious and things are so bad, I'm just not sure there's any other option. All the Knoxville media are treating it like it's 100% inevitable.
And I don't think this is an option right now, but anyone who thinks that Dave Clawson isn't part of the problem is blind. What has Clawson ever done good at Tennessee to earn this ridiculous benefit of the doubt when you have the 112th offense in the nation? They fire folks at Auburn for that kind of production...and maybe for Tommy too, it'll all just get to be too much. You just can't stay in this place of misery forever, or heads will roll.
I know I was pulling against our team but that is in fact not what I was doing.
It has become obvious to me that most UT fans are somewhat blind or at least have ignored the past 6 or 7 year trend. Since the national championship things have been steadily declining.
The only reason I want use to lose is so the few that get to make the decision will FINALLY make the decision. Evidently hap-hazardly making your way to a SEC title loss is grounds for a supposed contract extension.
To fix this team we need a coaching staff change. There are a lot of talented coaches out there and we need to go after them. It is just too obvious that we won't until we have to. Well, if we lose enough then we'll have to.
I remember being that angry, but it was after the 59-20 game.
But I remember the feeling. Welcome to the dark side.
Hey guys there is nothing wrong with wanting change. From what I here it's all but a done deal The Big Guy gets the ole pink slip. The question is, who will replace him and can he really do a better job?
It was rather interesting for me to read the post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.
Keep on posting such themes. I like to read articles like this. By the way add more pics :)
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