A Post-Spring Analysis

[UTGhostHunter]

Originally Posted by fade route

Everyone, OP included, keeps saying this is the deepest UT team we've had in a while. That may be true, but don't confuse it with having good SEC depth. We are still thin on talent in many, many areas. I like the first 22 guys we put out there, especially at the skill positions, but behind them it goes downhill fast. Because of that, I have a feeling we will have to go up big on teams in the first half, then survive the second half comebacks by many of the teams we play to win.

I never contested it was elite depth; simply the best depth Dooley has had as a head coach. And an earlier poster questioned my now or never statement, but my reasoning is this; Hart has no reason to be loyal to Dooley, and given the recent academic turmoil and coaching turnover, it's time that progress be made. I think 8 wins secures his job but anything less will leave Hart with a tough decision to make.

[bigorange61]

Originally Posted by ACvol3

2 things- we still don't have a senior class that can provide any real contribution except Rivera, and I think people r really overlooking florida. But i agree with most of what u had to say.

Rod Wilks is a senior, and has taken note of your post.

[chattavfl86]

Originally Posted by KoachKletus

Florida's D is going to be one of the best in the SEC East. With that being said, they will be one of the most gassed defenses in the 4th simply because I think their offense is in shambles. Going to be a great matchup in Neyland,,a 3 quarter free for all,,but I just don't see UF's D finishing the game - UT 27 - UF 17.

I feel like florida will be similar to our 2008 squad. Nationally acclaimed defense, non existent offense.

[TBtheGBwiththeTD]

Florida has talent all over the place, but no more Urban Meyer. I think florida will really struggle to score, especially earlier in the year. I think because we play them early rather than late, we should have a great shot to win. It won't be a blowout by any means because, as it has been pointed out, Uf's D is going to be a small notch worse than LSU or Bama of last year. Really strong up front, and very athletic behind the d-line.

That being said, I like UT to win 8-9 games in the regular season. Our defense will get better as the season progresses, and we don't play a team that can really play efficient offense until UGA.

If we roll into the Georgia game 4-0, we should be a top 25 team at game time.

[fade route]

Originally Posted by omghulkhands

Everyone can probably agree we the deepest team in the SEC at TE

I disagree. Chris Gragg at Ark is the best TE in the S E C and there's good talent behind him. IIRC, Gragg had a coupla 100 rec yd games last year.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[Ron Swanson]

Great read, thanks for posting.

You said that UT's OL was the most experienced OL in the SEC with 99 starts combined. Do you have those stats on the other teams? TIA

[VOLCLASSOF2014]

Great write-up! Thanks!

The only thing I've come to be super-cautious about (to the point of just leaving it alone), is not counting on any production, or placing any expectation on any freshmen. I know that's probably not the exciting way to view the talent coming in, but I guess after watching big talent after big talent become busts the last decade or so, I just try to leave it alone. I really hope that your freshmen/newcomer evaluations are correct. However, I just cringe at the sight of people placing expectations on them already only to watch them not even be significant contributors. Overall, great read though!

[UTGhostHunter]

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

Great read, thanks for posting.

You said that UT's OL was the most experienced OL in the SEC with 99 starts combined. Do you have those stats on the other teams? TIA

I'll accumulate the numbers and post them ASAP. I worked them out previously, but can't find the file now. Check back later this afternoon.

[UTGhostHunter]

Originally Posted by VOLCLASSOF2014

Great write-up! Thanks!

The only thing I've come to be super-cautious about (to the point of just leaving it alone), is not counting on any production, or placing any expectation on any freshmen. I know that's probably not the exciting way to view the talent coming in, but I guess after watching big talent after big talent become busts the last decade or so, I just try to leave it alone. I really hope that your freshmen/newcomer evaluations are correct. However, I just cringe at the sight of people placing expectations on them already only to watch them not even be significant contributors. Overall, great read though!

I don't disagree with you; there is always a chance that expectations aren't met, but Tennessee still needs to be right on a few guys, most importantly McCullers. One or two newcomers at wide receiver will also need to step up by October as well. I'm not sure who will emerge from that group, but Patterson and Croom look like the top candidates based on size, level of competition, and prior body of work. Pig and Drae also intrigue me, Bowles because of his reliable hands and Howard because of his speed.

[UTGhostHunter]

Tenn-107
LSU-98
Ala-90
Mizzou-80
Florida-79
SC-62
Vandy-55
Ole Miss-46
Georgia-28
Ken-25
Ark-Unknown
Aub-Unknown
MSU-Unknown
TAMU-Unknown

Obviously, I must have missed some starts for somebody somewhere on my earlier statement, but this is the correct number of starts. The unknowns are schools that haven't updated their rosters online to include last years participation information. Otherwise, everything is pretty accurate.

[Ron Swanson]

Originally Posted by UTGhostHunter

Tenn-107
LSU-98
Ala-90
Mizzou-80
Florida-79
SC-62
Vandy-55
Ole Miss-46
Georgia-28
Ken-25
Ark-Unknown
Aub-Unknown
MSU-Unknown
TAMU-Unknown

Obviously, I must have missed some starts for somebody somewhere on my earlier statement, but this is the correct number of starts. The unknowns are schools that haven't updated their rosters online to include last years participation information. Otherwise, everything is pretty accurate.

Thanks for taking the time to respond

I sure hope that experience pays off.

[TNHopeful505]

I think the most important thing is going to be the stability we've had in the offensive staff. Yes, some position coaches have changed, but the playbook hasn't. I think that's going to be huge this year. These guys have been running the same plays for 3 years now. Defense is going to have a learning curve, but I hope that by the Florida game, they get it straightened out. I think a rough defensive effort could contain NC State, but I don't see that being the case for SEC play.

[VolsMcGee]

Originally Posted by Titan&Volfan4life

That's a major reason so many Americans are UNeducated about alot of things nowdays especially politics and how hard small business owners work to earn a good living and pay their employees good money too.

Sad that most people don't read and do solid research on many things to better educate themselves.

Sound byte generations is exactly right for the last 2 or 3 generations now as you aptly stated it.

VFL...GBO!!!

I assure you, the same amount of people in the sound byte generation are as informed about politics as people in your generation. They are also very much educated.

The internet has allowed my generation an to do far more research than has ever been possible in the history of human kind. We may take it for granted, sure, but we do use it to inform ourselves. I actually take it upon myself to learn the news of the world around me.

My generation doesn't just get their news from one particular news station like the old folks do with FOXNEWS and CNN/MSNBC. We can gather news from multiple sources.

I know most of the old generation doesn't give us credit, just like I'm sure the older generation didn't for yours when you were our age, but trust me, our intelligence is developing faster than ever before.

I was just making a bit of a funny. Guess that one flew by......

So enough with the ageism. My generation is growing up with the internet. We may have low attention spans, but we are gathering info unlike ever before.

And that's my rant for the day

I hope someone from my generation will respond to this with a "too long, didn't read." That would be ironic as balls.

[rocktopper16]

Florida has a solid defensive line, The linebacker's aren't Dominat but decent. Cornerbacks are the question mark on D- From a Friend whose a huge florida homer. Florida shouldn't be overlooked But we 'should' Beat them this year. Hopefully it'll propell us onto a 9+ Win season!
Go Vols.

[golf437]

Originally Posted by VolsMcGee

Too long, didn't read

but go Vols

What is the point of your post. Going for post count. You missed a excellent analysis.