mikebbd

Titans were a paper tiger all season. Benefitted from playing in the worst division in the NFL. They also won 3 or 4 games they got heavily outplayed in. If this team played in Philly or NY, Wrabel would be getting roasted and SJW Tannehill would be run out of town.

I get that and do not disagree with you; it is a colossal IF when it comes to Ray and injury free. I am curious to know the advice Saban gave him.

I'd like to see Randolf lose about 15 lbs and become more than a tackle wearing a TE number.

I simply can't understand the excitement of having a QB, who will be almost 26 when the season starts. It would make sense if this team was on the brink of the college playoff, but even with returning as many as 11 so called super seniors, and again by far being the oldest team in the SEC, the Vols are three TDs behind Georgia, at best. Has it not occurred to any of you that there was likely a very talented young QB in the transfer portal that would have loved to come to UT if not for Hooker? Sure, this cast of older players means beating the bad teams again and going to a bowl, but what happens when this extra year(s) of eligibility has played out? Nothing is being built to close the gap, which is only done through recruiting and developing young talent. I agree with a few of you; Harrison Bailey will be putting up big numbers at UNLV. He should be developing and leading the Vols, but has never gotten a real chance. Easy to say Hooker is the better option, but given the age/experience gap, he should have been ahead of the young Bailey. It does not mean that is what was best for the Vols future.

Oops, Purdue's no. 3 WR is now out for the game, so maybe the Vols can stop them now. lol

Purdue is without their starting LT and top 2 WRs, one of which will go on day 1 of the NFL draft. With all that, they have put up 30 points in 2 1/2 quarters??

UT's last 45 games against Bama, Florida and Georgia, the Vols are 5 wins and 40 losses. So I guess it makes sense to pick on the tiny, private school. I am sure this idiot will never understand that Vanderbilt is a school of doctors and lawyers; they could not possibly care less about this clown or that "practice field."

One of the best true freshmen I have seen, maybe ever, at any position. Definitely the best TE in the country already. Tell you what Bulldogs, we will trade you Billingsley, any freshman WR, a 5× recruit and player to be named later for Bowers. What say ye?

Baffling decision, since this year's crop of WRs is down compared to previous years. Burks from Arkansas is a really good player and some have as the 1st WR off the board, but he is not a definite no. 1 in the NFL. Tillman has a similar skill set as Josh Palmer(I think better)and just doubled Palmer's best year of production. Palmer went in the 3rd and it is possible Tillman would have went earlier, but opts for a 5th year of college?? This kid got some bad advice.

Like Tom Brady being the GOAT of NFL QBs, I thought any argument on who the top NCAAFB coach of all time was settled.

Maybe Coach Heupel should spend more time recruiting kids in his own state, instead of convincing 5th and 6th year players to stay at UT instead of playing on Sunday for lots of money.

Fair question. Vol fans do not seem to understand the positive implications of top recruits seeing players from your school in the NFL. So is Milton content with riding the pine for another season? He didn't take it well at Michigan. I sure hope Milton does not beat out 5 for the starting job next fall. I would litterally die laughing.

Too bad we can't suit Ricks up for the playoff.

UT punked out of playing Army, at HOME. Be sensible, how many coaches do you think are lining up to play Alabama?

Did the writer actually say "Hooker could possibly make his way into the 1st round of the NFL draft?" At 26? He also spread the BS to make a point. Hooker was not the 12th rated QB on draft boards; he was 8th. When it comes to the NFL, there was nothing wise about the decision. Outside of B.Weeden, tell me about all the QBs drafted after age 26.

Why does he not just follow Venerables to Oklahoma?

And qwhite, we are all certain that any 3 star Georgia, Florida or Bama gets, you consider huge. You are a ridiculous homer and Heupel ball washer.

Let me get this straight, Alabama is the current National Champion, just completed an 11-1 regular season, won the SEC West with the toughest SOS in CFB, boat raced TN by 28, which makes what 15 in a row and you clowns are somehow talking smack? Much more talented teams than this year's Bama has lost at Auburn. Of course you turds don't understand what a rivalry is. Once upon a time, UT had a rivalry with Florida, Bama and Georgia, but to those teams, the Vols have become no more of a threat than Missouri or Miss St. But by all means, celebrate the big win over a little private school. Now you are back to .500 against them over the last decade. WooHoo!!

Didn't you get that memo? This is the new UT Vols. Those games do not matter, except for the fans giving a clinic on excuses. Notice how even this writer is on the bandwagon. Although the Vols were curb stomped by Georgia, just 2 weeks ago, he says " Heupel has the Vols rolling." Gators, Tide and Bulldogs 131 Vols 55; oh yeah, rolling, no doubt.

Oh yeah, wins over Bowling Green, Tenn Tech, South Alabama and Missouri, SC and Vandy aka The Three Stooges. What a resume.

Another 3 quarter take. UT has the 2nd or 3rd largest recruiting budget in CFB. Stop acting like they are the little engine that could.

This is the worst coaching staff Saban has ever put together. Marrone has done a poor job with the offensive line. O'Brien takes an entire quarter to adjust to blitz schemes. As for Golding, he has to go. I would trade a loss tonight for his firing. How many times are we going to have to watch an out of position, confused and unagressive defense? Of course kids like Walter Nolen do not want to play for him. 29 point favorites. Plain butt ugly.

I can not believe Stoops did not protest or even notice the clock operator before halftime. With 5 seconds left. UT snapped the ball, Hooker took it, turned to make the throw, then the clock started. Only 3 seconds went off on a 14 yd out, which is not possible. Funny for me, because I had the Vols pk for the 1st half. Good to win a wager you should lose for a change. What a contrast in styles. One thing in common, neither team is tackling well. I see Banks still has no clue how to stop the QB run. Fun game to watch for the fans.

Curious to Howard's thoughts after the Purdue game.

Yes, no way possible to overcome a 2 score deficit, in the 2nd quarter, at home, early in the season. Good teams make plays to change the momentum.

Know what? Every loss, that is all you hear from you guys. Alabama plays a dreadful game, still wins by 28 and what do we see? A whole article dedicated to a missed targeting call. I know UT fans that hate the constant whining. Someone should remind AT of last year's game and the fact it has been a looooong time since the Vols have been relevant. Shut up and play.

Wonder if it was a straight up bet or against the spread.

LSU could certainly do worse. For the Tigers, just as if I made a list when Saban retires, I'd put Lane Kiffin at the top, Mel Tucker 2nd and Joe Brady of the NFL 3rd. Of course we don't know who would be interested or available.

Geez, what took so long?

Hooker is as ready for the NFL as he will ever be. Playing another year in a gimmick system will not prepare Hooker. What so many are missing is that if he plays a 6th year of college football, he will be 25 yrs old entering the NFL draft. This could only hurt his draft stock.