TheVolCub08

Two people I know have both heard Vols. One troll I know of says State, causing me to believe even more that he's a Vol. Tennessee is done at WR if this is true.

When they added a couple new bowls a couple years ago, they said that would be a possibility. With that speculation, I'm even more confident a 6-6 Tennessee team is assured a bowl game. Honestly, based on the Birmingham Bowl pitting a bad Big East school vs a bad SEC school, I would not be surprised to see 5-7 Tennessee in that bowl.

I wish I had copied the link, but I read a report earlier today that speculates that we could see a 5-7 team or two in Bowl Games this winter. Currently, there are 47 Bowl-eligible teams, 17 more who have 5 wins, and only 16 more with 4 wins. Since there are 70 spots and only around 80 teams who appear to be conceivably in the picture, there could be a 5-7 team potentially.

dew... Two other things I found interesting in the aftermath of Tennessee's win last night: 1. Bray went to Gerald Jones on the sideline and asked if he'd caught a TD pass yet. Jones said no, to which Bray responded "next one's coming to you." It did. 2. After the game, Jones said "I wish I could start my career over here, because I've never had a QB like this." He's had 2 QB's who are in the NFL now throwing him balls, and he thinks more highly of Bray than either of those two.

Perhaps they are just too busy policing the exorbitant amount of idiocy present on the Rivals network?

Tyler Bray had a better first half than any QB in school history tonight, helping Tennessee destroy an awful Memphis team. Still, 2 school records (yards and TD's in a first half) is a step in the right direction. dew, did tonight do anything to convince you that 10 wins in 2012 is certainly within reach?

Still think it's more for depth, but Worley moved into 3rd place nationally for completions in a high school career. He's behind only Ben Mauk and JR House.

I just don't understand why Hendry wouldn't look to deal ARam to Boston now. They have no 3B in place, are in a place to win now, and have the payroll to take on ARam. ARam for Lars Anderson and Jed Lowrie, and officially take some time to rebuild. Even if we hold onto ARam and sign Dunn, the Cubs are looking at 4th place in the Central in 2011, maybe 3rd. Why spend the money on guys who help you be a mediocre team?

The lack of depth and talent on this year's team means there will be fewer veterans over the next couple of years. With the exception of the lines, QB and WRs, there simply isn't likely to be a lot of experienced talent on the roster. If Dooley recruits well - which it appears he is - we should have plenty of talent by 2012 and a team capable of 10+ wins. But it will likely be young enough all over that expecting 10+ wins may be a bit too aggressive. Of the LBs, the only guy I see for sure contributing in two years is Greg King. In the secondary, Janzen Jackson and maybe Teague. At RB, I'm not sold on Neal being a feature back yet and we don't appear to be getting a RB this year. [expletive] will have Fugate, but we don't have much behind Stocker at TE. We'll have the core pieces, but the rest of the team is looking to be pretty young, though talented. And do we really have that good a shot at Gabe Wright and Antonio Richardson? If so, that's great news. From what I've heard from Hubbs on the radio, they seem like longshots. First, on Worley... he'll be needed depth. But, he's going to finish his high school career in the Top 10 Nationally in career completions and TD Passes, and Top 15 in yards. Not a bad #2, if you ask me. Now, on the roster. I can respect you not being sold on Neal, but he looks like the real deal. He's good enough that he's supplanted Oku on the depth chart. And Toney Williams was more impressive then Brown or Oku until he tore his ACL prior to his freshman year. Tom Smith is blowing people away with his performance this year and Brendan Bigelow is a name that UT is gaining momentum with as well. We will be fine at RB, imo. At WR, take what we have (Hunter and both D. and Z. Rogers) and add DeAnthony Arnett (UT has a big lead there) and there is nothing to worry about. I know that the roster looks thin at TE, but Milton will be moved there, imo, and Cameron Clear is leaning toward UT big time. TE won't be an issue if we have Milton and Clear. On the OL, we're adding Tiny Richardson (his coach, Buck Fitzgerald says UT has an enormous lead), Alan Posey, and Kerbyson and Crowder to a line that will include Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield, Dallas Thomas, Pair, and Gooch. That is a very deep OL that will start a SR and 4 JR (or 3 Jr and a Soph). Now, onto the D: At DE, we'll have J. Smith and Miller starting as juniors, and Hughes starting at DT as a senior. We still will have Bohannon, Fowlkes, and Jefferey on the bench. And I think we add Mo Couch and Gabe Wright in this class (please stop listening to Hubbs... his contacts left with Fulmer, I'm afraid.) Downs will go to DE, and I still think there is another surprise out there (Jeoffrey Pagan, who has visited 4 times and whose mom LOVES Dooley, for example.) LB is a place that there will be some questions. Lathers, King, Mitchell-Thornton are guys we have now who will still be there, and Crump and Propst have both shown some promise this year. AJ Johnson will be a starter by then, imo. Could be a weakness, no doubt, but we could be surprised. DB will be strong. Jackson will be a Sr, while Teague and Gordon will be Jrs. Naz Oliver is a guy who is going to make some noise, I think, and he'll be a Jr as well. Waggner and Brewer will both still be here, and we're adding Pat Martin and Loften and Tino Thomas and 2 other DB's in this class, and Meline might be solid there after this redshirt year and he learns the position. Of course special teams look like they could be very good then as well. I just see plenty of reasons to be optimistic. No, not all those guys will still be here, and not all will be productive, but we are at the low point right now. And I don't think we're going to take 3 years to get back to mattering again in this conference. As always, just my opinion.

I agree with your 2011 comments, but with the extreme lack of depth on this team I'm not sure even very good recruiting will get us to 10 wins in 2012 (without a really weakened schedule like next year's). I think 7-8 wins next year and 8-9 in 2012 with the potential for competing in the SEC East in 2012 is fair. Hopefully back to 10+ wins by 2013. Do you think Worley is that much better than Bray, or are you talking more about QB depth? I've like what I've seen from Bray so far, though he is pretty considerably raw. I've heard Worley has good tools, but Bray does too. I don't understand how this team's lack of depth will have any impact on 2012 whatsoever. By that point, Tennessee will finally be back to 85 scholarship players and be loaded with experience. You really don't see how a team who will have 3 year starters at QB, WR, 4 of 5 OL slots, 3 of 4 DL spots and 3 of 4 DB spots will be capable of 10 wins? An OL of Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield and Tiny Richardson will be monstrous. Put Pair, Posey, and Gooch behind them and you've got a DEEEEP OL. At that point, the DL will consist of Smith, Miller, Hughes, and Gabe Wright (heard it here first), and we will have Bray throwing the ball to Hunter and Rogers and handing it to Neal. I think it's entirely possible that team loses only once or twice in my opinion. If Bray develops into the guy that Luginbill compared him to coming out of high school (Matt Leinart), that team will be deep, experienced, and very dangerous.

Is UT's OL going to be significantly better next season? If so, I understand your concern...If not, then why not go ahead and get Bray accustomed to dodging defensive linemen? I also would think UT would get a bowl bid of some sort based upon the revenue your fanbase would generate. Yes. 4 freshmen have started games for UT this year, and you can already see how they have improved thus far. I think there will be a significant improvement from this year to next. There is another frosh in the 2 deep at his position, another who is redshirting, and a Soph who's started and gets tons of snaps as well. I fully expect 8 wins in 2011. By 2012, if Dooley can just recruit well enough, Tennessee is back in the picture for 10-win seasons and SEC contention. The QB situation gets infinitely better with Justin Worley coming in, as well.

Bray was named the starter today (which I'm glad for, since Simms has been such a whiny punk the past two games), and I don't think Tennessee gets a Bowl Game even if they get to 6-6. I am just guessing, but I think the SEC shakes out like this: Bama: MNC Game Auburn: Sugar South Carolina: Outback LSU: Capital One Arkansas: Cotton Florida: Gator Miss. State: Chick-Fil-A Georgia: Music City It's possible that a 6-6 Tennessee gets into the Liberty or Papa John's, but I'd be surprised.

I'd rather roll the dice on Jed Lowrie. He's younger, costs much less in terms of money and talent required to get him, and might be a decent long-term solution. Again, if ARam could net Lowrie and Lars Anderson, it would be a no-brainer to me. Uggla is the type of move you make when you need one, maybe two bats to get to the next level. I don't think that is where we are as an organization, honestly.

Okay, it looks like it was nothing as of now. So, it looks like at least one more 20+ win season capped with a deep run in the NCAA Tourney before Tennessee gets hammered and Pearl gets canned.

I'm not saying that it is or is not true (because I have no idea), but there is some strong back-channel smoke suggesting that Pearl either resigns or is fired Monday morning from Tennessee. If true, this is a disaster of epic proportions for Tennessee, as his entire staff would go with him, and there is no chance at finding a good staff to get into place at this juncture.

Black Labs Non-Exempt Players: 2861 Matt Kemp- 451.5 Angel Pagan- 423.8 Ben Zobrist- 419.2 James Loney- 413.2 Adam Lind- 371 Omar Infante- 308 Carlos Ruiz- 299.5 Brandon League- 174.8 Exempt Players: Elvis Andrus Neil Walker Seth Smith Michael Stanton Gordon Beckham Reid Brignac Max Scherzer Jaime Garcia Wade Davis Brian Duensing Homer Bailey John Lannan Nick Masset Jake Arrieta Juan Gutierrez Jordan Zimmermann Minor Leaguers: Travis D’Arnaud Jesus Montero Josh Sale Michael Taylor Josh Vitters Aroldis Chapman Aaron Crow Zach Lee Hector Noesi Chris Withrow

Czar Nikita Non-Exempt Players: 8140.2 Dan Uggla- 536.2 Prince Fielder- 532 Corey Hart- 494 Marco Scutaro- 415.2 BJ Upton- 414.5 Jason Kubel- 401 Jonny Gomes- 398.8 Kevin Youkilis- 389.8 Pat Burrell- 317.8 Orlando Cabrera- 293.2 Freddy Sanchez- 286.5 Yadier Molina- 280.2 Dallas Braden- 457 Jake Westbrook- 395 Brandon Morrow- 372.2 Scott Baker- 348.5 Joe Blanton- 342.8 Joel Pineiro- 336.2 AJ Burnett- 333.5 Daisuke Matsuzaka- 310.8 Francisco Rodriguez- 186.8 Brad Lidge- 150 Matt Guerrier- 148.2 Exempt Players: Gaby Sanchez Pedro Alvarez Felix Pie Jonathon Niese Minor Leaguers: JP Arencibia Nick Castellanos Michael Choice Desmond Jennings Brent Morel Tony Sanchez Randall Delgado Tyler Matzek Yunesky Maya Anthony Ranaudo

Hosak Non-Exempt Players: 4823.3 (out of 2015.9) Adam Dunn- 508.8 Chris B Young- 491.2 Michael Young- 489.2 Carlos Quentin- 406.2 Justin Morneau- 324 Dustin Pedroia- 274.5 Adam Wainwright- 664.2 Dan Haren- 546.2 John Danks- 493.8 Joakim Soria- 244.2 Jonathan Papelbon- 209.5 Jonathan Broxton- 171.5 Exempt Players: Andrew McCutchen Pedro Alvarez Jed Lowrie Josh Reddick Ian Kennedy Luke Hochevar Justin Masterson Minor Leaguers: Lars Anderson Lonnie Chisenhall Mike Kvasnicka Justin O’Conner Kyle Parker Jake Skole Tim Alderson Seth Blair Tyrell Jenkins Matt Moore Jake Odorizzi

Rapture (formerly Janzen's Black n Milds) Non-Exempt Players: 5636.2.2 (out of 2090) Jose Bautista- 657 David Ortiz- 504.2 Billy Butler- 471.5 Brian McCann- 401.5 Johnny Damon- 397.5 Jose Reyes- 394.2 Adam Jones- 390.8 Ryan Ludwick- 351.8 Orlando Hudson- 326.2 Justin Verlander- 596.5 Zack Greinke- 498 Matt Garza- 463.8 Kevin Gregg- 183.2 Exempt Players: Jason Heyward Blake Dewitt Jason Castro Tommy Hanson Colby Lewis Jason Vargas Brian Matusz Jonny Venters Evan Meek Edinson Volquez Arodys Vizcaino* Minor Leaguers: Kaleb Cowart Dee Gordon Bryce Harper Manny Machado Jiovanni Mier Will Myers Austin Romine Carlos Triunfel Tyler Chatwood Jameson Taillon

Kingsport Copperheads Non-Exempt Players: 4999.4 (out of 1850) Kelly Johnson- 501 Michael Cuddyer- 452.8 Shane Victorino- 452.2 Andre Ethier- 440.5 Marlon Byrd- 409.5 Mark Reynolds- 405.8 Jimmy Rollins- 257 Bengie Molina- 206.5 Brian Roberts- 153.5 Kelly Shoppach- 91.8 Roy Halladay- 742.8 Jon Garland- 432 Mike Pelphrey- 404.8 Javier Vazquez- 282.2 Francisco Cordero- 205.8 Brian Fuentes- 155.5 Fernando Rodney- 148.5 Brandon Webb- 0 Exempt Players: Austin Jackson Brennan Boesch Alcides Escobar Josh Bell Hank Conger* Bud Norris Doug Fister Kyle Kendrick Brad Ziegler Minor Leaguers: Freddie Freeman Mark Trumbo Todd Frazier Max Stassi Ryan Westmoreland Cam Bedrosian Daniel Duffy JP Howell Jarrod Parker Tanner Scheppers

Ozzie Guillen’s Accent Non-Exempt Players: 5950.9 Miguel Cabrera- 633.8 Hunter Pence- 479.2 Raul Ibanez- 443.5 Carlos Pena- 396 Miguel Tejada- 388.2 Josh Willingham- 331.8 Chone Figgins- 325.5 Kurt Suzuki- 321.2 John Buck- 307.8 Ubaldo Jiminez- 625.8 Jonathan Sanchez- 488.5 Gavin Floyd- 406.8 Dave Bush- 309.5 Leo Nunez- 196.8 Ryan Franklin- 176 Brad Penny- 120.5 Joe Nathan- 0 Exempt Players: Chase Headley Julio Borbon Ryan Sweeney Jacoby Ellsbury Wilson Ramos* Nick Weglarz* Clay Buchholz Phil Hughes Nick Blackburn Joba Chamberlain Andrew Bailey Brad Lincoln Minor Leaguers: Brandon Allen Yonder Alonso Dustin Ackley Tim Beckham Bryce Brentz Jared Mitchell Casey Kelly Shelby Miller Drew Pomeranz Trevor Reckling

Sultans Non-Exempt Players: 7599.2 Robinson Cano- 579.8 Josh Hamilton- 542.8 Adrian Beltre- 516 Nick Swisher- 487.2 Ichiro Suzuki- 424.5 Alfonso Soriano- 401.8 Jhonny Peralta- 380.8 Mike Napoli- 342.8 Lance Berkman- 319.2 Roy Halladay- 742.8 Tim Lincecum- 566.5 Bronson Arroyo- 460.5 Anibal Sanchez- 452 Livan Hernandez- 428.5 Mark Buehrle- 387.5 Vicente Padilla- 231.2 Mariano Rivera- 196.8 Frank Francisco- 138.5 Exempt Players: Michael Bourn Starlin Castro Matt LaPorta Peter Bourjos Mike Leake Tyler Clippard Minor Leaguers: Quintin Berry Domonic Brown Delino DeShields Aaron Hicks Jonathan Singleton Nathan Adcock Ernesto Frieri Michael Pineda Asher Wojciechowski

Rosters will be posted soon, and we have one owner to replace. Let the offseason begin.

I think it was Levine who said a few days ago that Boston would/will have lots of interest in Aramis this offseason. Has there been any speculation on what they'd be willing to give up for him? Jed Lowrie and Lars Anderson? :beg:

"Frontrunner" may have been a strong word (read the blurb late last night.) But, it appears he's on the list, and high enough that the Cubs brought him to Houston to meet over the weekend, after already conducting a phone interview.