Did you see him at Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., last week?
Tennessee head football coach Jeremy Pruitt addressed the media last Tuesday and spoke for over 21 minutes. Like most coaches, speaking to the media isn’t on the list of his favorite things. Perhaps that’s why he spoke so long.
Fewer questions to answer from the droolers in the gallery.
But did you see him?
His rhetoric was consistent with what he always says. But there seemed to be a subterfuge of optimism, almost like pent up optimism.
While at the rostrum, he almost was shuffling his feet at times, talking how this team has taken big steps forward from this point last year. Boy, you sure hope this team has. Many pundits I talk to are basing Tennessee’s fortunes this year on last year’s results. But as Pruitt said, it’s hard to block people up front when your second-and-third-team tackles weigh 260 lbs. You can’t compete in the SEC with substandard linemen.
But he tacitly reminded us that Tennessee has strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald, whose sessions, unlike the prior regime, are mandatory. Pruitt also said that it’s not like his linemen are bad players. They just need to be at the level to compete in the SEC. The way he said “they’re good players” raised my eyebrows.
Yes, offensive linemen Trey Smith’s status is still uncertain. He’s sidelined with blood clots. The NCAA hasn’t ruled on Michigan transfer Aubrey Solomon’s situation. Both of those guys would help the offensive and defensive lines, respectively… and instantly.
The linebackers appear to be solid, the secondary is proven, the receivers and running backs have a bit of depth and quality, and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has really developed as a leader. Couple that with the fact that Pruitt has put together one of the finest coaching staffs in the nation, how could you not be optimistic?
But I’ve seen this dog and pony show before, and not just with Tennessee. We hear embers of optimism from coaches (South Carolina from last year comes to mind), and they wind up being profound disappointments. It’s easy to fall prey to fool’s gold this time of year.
That said, when I saw Pruitt, I sensed that he likes these lower expectations from the punditry. I also sensed that he knows something about this team that we don’t.
I still maintain this team will likely go 7-5 this year, heading into bowl season. That would be a good positive step for this team. Pruitt seems to be, in his own way, excited.
For you fans of the Big Orange, however, during this time of year, don’t go any higher than you care to fall. Tennessee football, historically, is the master of the unexpected.
That’s both for good and bad.
Jim Steele is a correspondent for Magic Valley Publishing and host of The Pressbox, which airs 4-6 p,m. CT, Monday-Thursday on WRJB 95.9 FM, Camden, Tenn.
