In response to the post on injuries:
I know every one has pointed to this year as the year Tennessee would compete at the highest level or dare say, elite level at the top of the SEC. I have always thought that those expectations were based on "wishing", although they were justified by the success CBJ has had recruiting. Truth is, the team is still not where it needs to be regarding experience and quality depth. Close, but not quite there.
To make the racehorse analogy, the stable is better, but still not flush with elite athletes and the role players have yet to be conditioned enough to avoid injury. Tennessee has been riding the experienced athletes pretty hard in these contests and they have had no relief of expectations....so the injuries will mount. Once the coaches can manage their stable a little better, which CBJ tried to do in the pre-season with less contact, then we should expect some breakdowns in this conference.
Tennessee needs a few more classes of good athletes to weather this type of schedule. We will be better next year, unless attrition to the NFL and or injury keeps us close, but not close enough .... See Georgia and Mark Richt as an example. Johnny and Phillip fought the same battle during their tenures, but it is harder in the SEC today than during their runs.
I know every one has pointed to this year as the year Tennessee would compete at the highest level or dare say, elite level at the top of the SEC. I have always thought that those expectations were based on "wishing", although they were justified by the success CBJ has had recruiting. Truth is, the team is still not where it needs to be regarding experience and quality depth. Close, but not quite there.
To make the racehorse analogy, the stable is better, but still not flush with elite athletes and the role players have yet to be conditioned enough to avoid injury. Tennessee has been riding the experienced athletes pretty hard in these contests and they have had no relief of expectations....so the injuries will mount. Once the coaches can manage their stable a little better, which CBJ tried to do in the pre-season with less contact, then we should expect some breakdowns in this conference.
Tennessee needs a few more classes of good athletes to weather this type of schedule. We will be better next year, unless attrition to the NFL and or injury keeps us close, but not close enough .... See Georgia and Mark Richt as an example. Johnny and Phillip fought the same battle during their tenures, but it is harder in the SEC today than during their runs.
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