Tennessee Football: 10 Reasons to Be Optimistic and Pessimistic

It's a story of have and have nots.

The Vols have plenty of reasons to be in high spirits and...and maybe not.

As the 2011 Volunteer season begins to unfold, it will provide us with the looks that the fans have been so desperate for in the off season. There is a host of new players and a company's worth of sophomore veterans. Is that reason enough to be optimistic, or should we be pessimistic given the circumstances as to why they are there to begin with?

Kick off your shoes for a minute and take a look. Shall we?

Pessimistic: Orange and White Game Was Horrible

As a whole, the annual spring game was very lackluster on both sides of the ball. While there were a few players that demonstrated they remembered how to get the stadium, they still performed horribly.

In seasons past, the Vols were more prepared talent and experience wise, and the Orange and White game took on more of a carnival-like appearance. While this was great fun for the players and the fans, it still displayed a lack of discipline that other SEC teams noticed.

Now is the time when every minute of scrimmage is a valuable tool—don't squander moments of preparation.

Optimistic: Coach Dooley Cautiously Enthusiastic

Are the Vols a top 10 team? No, but they are a top 10 practice team.

Every Vol fan alive should commend head coach Derek Dooley and his staff for taking a no-nonsense approach to practices. You won't hear coach Dooley talking about how everything is just peachy, instead you will hear him give very frank explanations about why or not the Vols are or aren't improving. This is excellent in terms of realism.

When you start praising people for their achievements, they become complacent. In Dooley's eyes, there really isn't a reason to start praising the squads for anything other than showing up to practice, and there are some who just happen to be there. Still, the common sense mentality gives us all an accurate picture.

Pessimistic: Too Many Injuries Killing Depth

Even with good news that Ben Martin is ready to take the field, it's premature to think that not one, but two torn Achilles will allow him to return to full service. Even if they are fully healed, he will never truly be as whole as once was.

Herman Lathers is still out for the foreseeable future until his ankle mends. And then, there was an unclear cryptic message from Maurice Couch saying that one more week would heal his leg...who knew?

True freshman TB Devrin Young has a fractured collarbone, and his status is still in limbo, or rather, his chances of making the Montana game are TBD. And of course there is Malik Jackson who is nursing a sprained knee.

The Vols can't afford another injury.

Optimistic: Vols Can Heal

DL Jacques Smith could have been nothing more than another liability with a bum wheel, but he decided to roll the surgery dice. So far it's been sure money. After having both feet/ankles operated on, he feels that he has gotten quicker.

That's a good thing considering that DL players are being moved around yet again to fill in the gaps left by the injured DT Malik Jackson. Regardless, he was a first-team pick in the spring before the surgery so he will be welcomed back with a great big sigh of relief. At least the depth is ankle deep.

Pessimistic: Time Is Not on the Vols' Side

With 19 days left until kickoff, there is precious little time for practice and healing. The grueling schedule of two-a-day practices will get the Vols at least acclimated to the humid conditions that come with games inside an Indian Summer-Neyland stadium, but what it won't do is get everybody game-ready.

As it stands now, Derek Dooley is barely recognizing maybe three players, at tops, who are up to the challenge of playing in actual game—Janzen Jackson being one of those players.

But what he won't do is acknowledge an entire starting roster, and that means trouble if he doesn't say something within the next week.

Optimistic: Bray Is Getting Better

From controlling the tempo to adding a couple of pounds, Bray is by all accounts getting better.

He's still young, but he really is starting to run the offense and the flow of the play. And everybody knows that when a QB controls the tempo of the game you win.

Bray has confessed that he is up to 210lbs, but it's still a far cry from 225lbs. Still any weight is better than none at all. Dooley still expresses concern about his maturity and commitment to practices, but he isn't entirely without enthusiasm, "He's making some passes."

I know that Coach Dooley is slow to compliment, but from what we've witnessed so far, things are improving. Dropped passes are inevitable, but if the receivers are where the QB is throwing, then half the battle is won.

Pessimistic: Vols Like the Yellow Flag

One of the most important things for Football 101 is practicing penalty discipline, and right now, there is definitely room for improvement.

With so many obstacles forcing Tennessee to watch every single misstep, it's vital that coaches cure them of their tendencies before a false start or a holding call costs them a game against an SEC rival.

Going from 3rd-and-5 to 3rd-and-10 in the fourth quarter is enough to end it all.  

Optimistic: The Offensive Line Is Really Starting To Gel

The offensive line is really starting to gel. What was once a curse is now a blessing as the young men who worried Derek Dooley are being transformed into All-SEC caliber linemen.

They are stronger leaner and faster. And to top it off, they are more aggressive and unafraid as they might have been last season going up against seasoned veterans that make the SEC so predominant. I cannot see any weaknesses right now except at center, and even that position has four potential snappers.

Remember the names Schofield, Stone, Thomas, James and Fulton...and Bullard too. The Vols should give harry Hiestand a raise and a contract extension right now, this very minute and write a humongous check so that he stays with the Vols until retirement. 

Pessimistic: SEC Opponents Are Tough as Usual

With the exception of Kentucky and Vanderbilt, every SEC left on the schedule is ranked in the preseason rankings. It wouldn't matter if you stacked cupcakes a dozen deep, it does little to prepare you for the sheer speed and violence that the SEC teams bring to the table.

Each team brings a unique component all their own. For years, you could count on Florida's secondary to be second to none, and still, Alabama continually brings in runners that leave LBs holding their sides after a series, even down-trodden Kentucky managed to stock in their set of speedy receivers to compete with the likes of LSU and Florida.

This year is no different save for the Gators rebuilding with a whole new troupe of coaches. And remind me again how many BCS trophies the SEC has won over the last decade?

Optimistic: The Vols Are a Team Again

Near the end of last season, you could read a couple of things on Vol faces.

One was hope; you could see a renewal in their swagger as they played. Two was determination; although they lost some heart-breakers, they were still ready to play another quarter. Three and final was anger; but they were angry together.

They were all mad. Other teams and coaches, the media showed them no respect, and they did actually earn it. They were so young and broken, but they still came out and played, and no matter what anybody said, Kiffin did not have them playing as a team.

He sold them individual success, and he reaped what they sowed. Last season was by no means a championship run, but they did play as a team. Now, they carry that through the spring and summer and pass that on to the freshmen.