(Long post warning)
Good morning all,
I hope each of you is doing well. There have been a plethora of comments about the recent changes to this website. While it has been lighthearted for the most part following the drastic change, I can understand that some of you have been on this website for decades and feel like the rug has been pulled from underneath you overnight. Some of you have absolutely no idea who/what TDR is or who I am, and you pay hard-earned money out of your pockets for access to content on this website. As we move forward during this transition process I figured it is best to introduce myself and provide you a little insight into what to expect from my perspective.
Background/What I Bring
My name is Blake Fromang. I am a 6'7 former Vanderbilt offensive lineman (2012-2015) who is now a practicing attorney in Tampa, Florida. I was recruited by James Franklin and finished my career with CDM as my head coach (sorry about that 2014 Temple game). Since graduating from Vanderbilt, I have not missed watching a game and have been looking for any opportunity to discuss Vandy football with the fan base. I bring a unique insight into offensive line play that is seldom discussed analytically. I have worked with TDR for over a year, published an article on their website, and have appeared on their podcast on four separate occasions. Trevor and the others on the TDR team will provide the breaking news (roster moves, commitments, etc.), but I will walk you through what I am seeing on a game-to-game basis at a high level of detail and tell you my opinion on recruits that we land. If you have any questions about what it was like during my tenure or how the college football system operates, feel free to ask. I was an NFLPA-certified agent for a year, so if you have any questions in that area, I am happy to answer.
Why I Joined TDR (For the people questioning their subscription after the significant change)
During my time at Vandy, I appreciated each and every one of you who showed support. I am sure I met a bunch of you at DoreJam or StarWalk. However, as a whole, the fanbase was disjointed. For example, during my Franklin years, there would be games in which less than half the stands were full after we became bowl-eligible. I do not fault any of you for that. The program's fan engagement program has been an abject failure and the on-field results certainly do not help. But I do remember what it felt like during those bowl games and a couple of home SEC games (Ole Miss 2013) when the crowd was practically all Vandy and the house was rocking. We got away from that in my later years (deservedly so, we stunk). Regardless, this fan base has what it takes to become elite. As my old offensive line coach used to say, "You f***** up because now I know you can do it, and I expect it every time." Clark Lea made the iron hot and it is time for us to strike.
After I left Vandy, I returned home to Florida for law school. There is practically nobody in the entire state of Florida that cares about Vanderbilt football and I was left to discuss the games with my girlfriend (now wife). I would get frustrated and vent about the state of the program. She did her best to listen, but explaining Vandy football to anyone outside of our fanbase is difficult. One day, I saw a post from Trevor on Twitter that put all of my years of frustrations into words. I listened to one of TDR's podcasts, reached out, and got connected. I finally felt heard and that I could join a community that loved the Dores but was not afraid to speak their minds. I was able to discuss my love for the Dores with like-minded folks for the first time in years. That is what TDR offers. We are a community of passionate Dore fans who care and want to embolden more to join the fanbase. This isn't just about breaking news or getting scoops (which we will do). This is about becoming what all other SEC fan bases have - a cohesive legion of crazed fanatics who will go to war (FBI/DHS - this is hyperbole, I don't mean actual combat) for the black and gold. We want to be a galvanizing force that brings the fanbase together, provides news/insights, gives you a place to speak freely, connects you with like-minded people, and makes you proud to wear the black and gold - especially in enemy territory. It is time for the fanbase to put together a unified front. That is the mission. All that we ask is that you approach us with an open mind and give us an opportunity to win your support. With that, welcome everyone.
-Blake Fromang
Good morning all,
I hope each of you is doing well. There have been a plethora of comments about the recent changes to this website. While it has been lighthearted for the most part following the drastic change, I can understand that some of you have been on this website for decades and feel like the rug has been pulled from underneath you overnight. Some of you have absolutely no idea who/what TDR is or who I am, and you pay hard-earned money out of your pockets for access to content on this website. As we move forward during this transition process I figured it is best to introduce myself and provide you a little insight into what to expect from my perspective.
Background/What I Bring
My name is Blake Fromang. I am a 6'7 former Vanderbilt offensive lineman (2012-2015) who is now a practicing attorney in Tampa, Florida. I was recruited by James Franklin and finished my career with CDM as my head coach (sorry about that 2014 Temple game). Since graduating from Vanderbilt, I have not missed watching a game and have been looking for any opportunity to discuss Vandy football with the fan base. I bring a unique insight into offensive line play that is seldom discussed analytically. I have worked with TDR for over a year, published an article on their website, and have appeared on their podcast on four separate occasions. Trevor and the others on the TDR team will provide the breaking news (roster moves, commitments, etc.), but I will walk you through what I am seeing on a game-to-game basis at a high level of detail and tell you my opinion on recruits that we land. If you have any questions about what it was like during my tenure or how the college football system operates, feel free to ask. I was an NFLPA-certified agent for a year, so if you have any questions in that area, I am happy to answer.
Why I Joined TDR (For the people questioning their subscription after the significant change)
During my time at Vandy, I appreciated each and every one of you who showed support. I am sure I met a bunch of you at DoreJam or StarWalk. However, as a whole, the fanbase was disjointed. For example, during my Franklin years, there would be games in which less than half the stands were full after we became bowl-eligible. I do not fault any of you for that. The program's fan engagement program has been an abject failure and the on-field results certainly do not help. But I do remember what it felt like during those bowl games and a couple of home SEC games (Ole Miss 2013) when the crowd was practically all Vandy and the house was rocking. We got away from that in my later years (deservedly so, we stunk). Regardless, this fan base has what it takes to become elite. As my old offensive line coach used to say, "You f***** up because now I know you can do it, and I expect it every time." Clark Lea made the iron hot and it is time for us to strike.
After I left Vandy, I returned home to Florida for law school. There is practically nobody in the entire state of Florida that cares about Vanderbilt football and I was left to discuss the games with my girlfriend (now wife). I would get frustrated and vent about the state of the program. She did her best to listen, but explaining Vandy football to anyone outside of our fanbase is difficult. One day, I saw a post from Trevor on Twitter that put all of my years of frustrations into words. I listened to one of TDR's podcasts, reached out, and got connected. I finally felt heard and that I could join a community that loved the Dores but was not afraid to speak their minds. I was able to discuss my love for the Dores with like-minded folks for the first time in years. That is what TDR offers. We are a community of passionate Dore fans who care and want to embolden more to join the fanbase. This isn't just about breaking news or getting scoops (which we will do). This is about becoming what all other SEC fan bases have - a cohesive legion of crazed fanatics who will go to war (FBI/DHS - this is hyperbole, I don't mean actual combat) for the black and gold. We want to be a galvanizing force that brings the fanbase together, provides news/insights, gives you a place to speak freely, connects you with like-minded people, and makes you proud to wear the black and gold - especially in enemy territory. It is time for the fanbase to put together a unified front. That is the mission. All that we ask is that you approach us with an open mind and give us an opportunity to win your support. With that, welcome everyone.
-Blake Fromang
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