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Link: You guys disappoint me - Stephens leaves Tennessee

Was he getting beat out in spring practice? I figured he was a sure-fire starter since yall don't have any depth behind him.
 
I heard it earlier today, but it was still just in the rumor phase at that point. We've been that position of "Who's going to quit next" fairly recently...
 
jps1983 said:
Was he getting beat out in spring practice? I figured he was a sure-fire starter since yall don't have any depth behind him.
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From what I read, it just sounds like he wasn't performing well in the scrimmage. There is probably a reason he was a backup for most of his career. :)
 
UT is in for a rough patch. I still think they'll be better off in the long run with Kiffin gone.

The questions I have is how much does Dooley need to accomplish to stay, and how long do they give him? I think he can be successful there, but it will probably take three years.
 
Believe it or not, most of us don't really care about what happens in Knoxville. It used to mean a lot when UT fielded a team that could compete with us, but now, not so much.
 
mikes12 said:
I think he can be successful there, but it will probably take three years.
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If his last name were anything else, no one would be saying these things. He was 17-20 @ LaTech and finished his third year with an amazing 4-8 record.

He may well end up being Neyland II, but to give him any sort of props now is kinda silly, imo.
 
Who's leaving next week?;)

Don't mean to give aid and comfort to the enemy, but Volfan you better just accept all this attrition as part of the process. Whether or not Dooley ends up being a good coach for you guys or not, a lot of these guys probably NEED to go away...
 
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Net plus for TN IMO. Before today, TN faced the dilemma of either (a) starting a senior (Stephens) whom many felt wasn't as good as his backups, then next year breaking in a new starter; or (b) keep the senior on the bench, start the underclassmen, and deal with whatever locker room issues arise. Stephens' leaving clears the air. Now the underclassmen can battle it out.

'Course, TN better develop an OL in a hurry or the upcoming season could be ugly.
 
Meh,...5th year SR QB sees the light...realizes his chance to shine isn't finally coming after all....chooses to cut his losses...no big deal.
 
crimsonaudio said:
Believe it or not, most of us don't really care about what happens in Knoxville. It used to mean a lot when UT fielded a team that could compete with us, but now, not so much.
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Hate to say it, but it sure seemed like they competed with us last year.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
VolFan1 said:
This has been out for a few hours and I figured you guys would be all over it by now.

5th year senior Nick Stephens has quit the UT football team.

Go Vols Xtra article
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*****
I think that Coach Dooley plans to put 'The best players' on the field.
Nick has had several chances to be number #1 and has not claimed that job. You gotta make the most of your time on the field, or be prepared to ride the pine. It appears that Nick chose option #3 and is planning to transfer for playing time.
Let's look at this from the point of view of the other QBs.
Why should the Vols start someone just because he's a 5th yr. Senior?
I think you have to go with the QB who will give you the best chance to win.

Indulge me for a second: I'm not trying to start anything, and I admit to not being that up on Tennessee Football.
Here's my question: Does Nick Stephens have 5 years experience?
OR: Does he have one year experience repeated 5 times.
(I think there is one heck of a difference)

IMHO: If Nick is not appreciably better than the other QBs,
I could understand the Coaches planning for the future, and giving playing time to future Qbs.

Let's look at this from an Alabama perspective: Last year... Grant could have sat on the bench sulking, or he could have transferred...
Instead he made the most of limited playing time.
(I hate it, but not everyone can be #1, sometimes there are other players who are younger, bigger, faster, stronger, and have better instincts for how the other guy will respond.)

I wish Nick Stephens well and may he have an injury free last year of college ball. (Wherever he chooses to play)

I gotta say that if the decision were mine; I would rather ride the pine at Tennessee for my last year, than be the starter at some small school.
 
BamaSC said:
Hate to say it, but it sure seemed like they competed with us last year.
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Easy to look that way when we were playing our 8th consecutive game (the last five of which were SEC opponents) while UT had a week off to prepare...

Don't think that game was pivotal in Moore's decision to push the SEC to look at scheduling.
 
Born_a_Tider said:
The point is they played us tough last year. No excuses for scheduling.
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The point is that they had a better team last year than they will this year. They had more experience and more talent last year. They did get a pretty good recruiting class this year, so they have some good young talent that has come in, but the fact is they are mostly inexperienced at some key positions and are going through a transition (coaching and attrition) period. "If" they reach 7 wins this year, Dooley will have done an absolute great coaching job imho. rtr
 
crimsonaudio said:
Believe it or not, most of us don't really care about what happens in Knoxville. It used to mean a lot when UT fielded a team that could compete with us, but now, not so much.
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I was just joking with the being disappointed part :)

crimsonaudio said:
If his last name were anything else, no one would be saying these things. He was 17-20 @ LaTech and finished his third year with an amazing 4-8 record.

He may well end up being Neyland II, but to give him any sort of props now is kinda silly, imo.
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Agreed
 
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