re: do Tenn fans feel betrayed by Chavis?

quote:

---

In 2008 against Auburn, I think Auburn had to convert a third and 2 to seal the game, and Tennessee's lined up like it was third and 20.

Chavis said he was trying to avoid giving up the big play.

---

This statement is a microcosm of Chavis time at Tennessee.
An inept offense put the defense in a make or break situation against a mediocre team. That time the defense stopped Auburn 4 Times in the 4th quarter, not even allowing a FG though Auburn got starting field position at the 40 or better each time. Fans get frustrated by the last play seen and rip Chavis on the Internet.

It still baffles me that our defense in that game held us there for the entire quarter and we couldn't even muster a drive into FG range. Instead of fans saying "what an effort by the defense" they rip the coaching staff. It's lunacy.

The '05 Bama game is another prime example.

What continues to blow my mind is the fact the we've had 2 coordinators since then. Neither one's defenses have performed as well as either Chavis defense at LSU, including '09 where I think we had better overall talent and an easier schedule with a Super Bowl winning DC. We have seen a monumental drop off in LB play. We used to have nobodies like Eddie Moore, Keyon Whiteside, Dominique Stevenson, et all who were groomed into NFL talents. We don't have that anymore.

In answer to the OP, well, it's not even a valid question.... Chavis did not leave Tennessee. He was fired by someone around the age of his own son. He packed his junk and left the building. There was a press conference and Monte was hired. He got immediate offers from Clemson and LSU and took the best one. Since then he has turned down offers from Georgia and Texas.

The real question should be "Does Chavis feel betrayed by Tennessee?"

I give the UT fanbase (with the usual allowance for the numbnut fringe, of course)a lot more credit than that. This ain't their first rodeo; they're more knowledgable about the game and everything it involves than many out there.

This is big-time college football- and transactions are always gonna happen.

quote:

---

Third and Chavis is now 3rd and Mathieu.

---

quote:

---

I don't think a lot of your fellow LSU fans understand that Saban would probably be in Baton Rouge right now if the job had been available when he decided to end the NFL experiment.

---

quote:

---

Yeah, I agree, Chavis has been rail-roaded by Vol fans. I mean he held UF and Bama to a combined 101 in 2007 with only four first round picks at his disposal.

---

It was only 100.

quote:

---

Wrong. Most dumb arse fans that knew nothing about the game wanted him gone. 80% of the fans knew he was one hell of a DC and hated to see him go.

BUT, no one begrudges him though. He did a hell of a job at UT just like he is doing a hell of job at LSU

---

Plenty of people thought highly of him, but not many 'hated' to see him go.

quote:

---

1) Speak for yourself and MANY LSU fans. I have NEVER hated Saban

2) He did NOT "switch sides to Bama". He tried out the NFL and, upon deciding it was not for him, took the BEST job that was AVAILABLE to him

3) Chavis is an assistant coach that was part of a staff that was fired. Why in the hell would anyone blame him for taking the LSU job?

Shhhhhhesssssshhh!!!

---

This was an incredibly intelligent post. Realistic view of the situation and should have ended the thread.

quote:

---

Again, can't say it enough...Chavis' defenses have given up more than 20 PPG just once since 1998.

That's at two different schools. And The Chief's first year at LSU saw the Tiger defense give up a whopping 8 points less per game than they did before he got there.

You just don't see that kind of improvement from players in a new defensive system that often.

And we Tiger fans have never seen the level of LB play we are seeing now. I'm loving it!

---

I never said he didn't have good defenses. He did. However, he did get too conservative some times.

I always wondered if "FULMER" wasn't calling the shots on "EVERYTHING". Cutcliffe is the only one he "REALLY TRUSTED". ( He never would let Randy Sanders do what he wanted)..And I often felt after watching Chavis come to LSU..He BRINGS THE HEAT on 3rd down..If if was 3rd and 20 at UT..you can bet the offense would gain 25. HE WOULD NOT BRING THE PRESSURE! .DB's would be running with their backs to the ball..Not have their head around looking for the ball and this was when we were LOADED at DB..Often thought Fulmer told him.."PLAY IT SAFE..KEEP EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF YOU"..Because not once during Chavis tenure at UT can I remember his defense coming up with the big INT or Quarterback sack or Stop on Fourth down to seal a game..I think Fulmer was pulling the strings all along after watching his defenses play at LSU.