Official Palardy's Football Info Thread

[PalardyLikeARockstar]

Thought I'd start sharing some of the stuff I've seen since spring practice, when I started my new gig as a "Cafeteria Lady."



One of the most interesting things I've seen X's and O's wise, is that the Vols are trying to input a no-huddle offensive playcalling system. This is very similar to Texas A&M's (In fact, we spend several days speaking with A&M coaches about how they operate their system). Essentially the team will receive a formation from the sideline, and then a play. It's pretty simple, but it allows us to stay a step ahead of the D, and also gives us the opportunity to execute more plays, which the Law of Averages says we're more opportune to be successful.


The morale of the team is totally different than it was last season. Tyler Bray is a true leader and is coming into form and accepting of the role. He is consistent in his practice routine and doesn't take too much special treatment from the coaching staff. He's spending a lot of time with Chaney discussing the playbook and there is a lot chatter about the use of Nathan Peterman in a Newton/Tebow/Whatever running QB for short yardage situations this year. This alone has the team excited simply because it's something new, different, and something they have seen championships won by doing. Bray is our quarterback, obviously, but Peterman may not be the guaranteed redshirt that some of us may think.

Sal Sunseri is the funnies SOB I have ever seen in my entire life. Some of the things he say to the players man, it's just too damn funny, and inappropriate for VN. I will say this though, this is one hell of a coach, with one hell of a passion for the game. He's very reserved off of the field and is very respectful of most everyone, but when he's on the gridiron he runs around like his hair is on fire.

Jay Graham is by far my favorite addition to the staff. The guy is so well informed about every aspect of the game, and he is doing a great job with Marlin and Raijon.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I'll do the best I can to answer them. Please do me favor though, one post each, and just edit your post if you have another question on down the road. Makes it easier for me to get to you. Thanks guys, and GO BIG F***IN ORANGE!

[Jxn Vol]

Good stuff. Thanks man.

Who is the most impressive underclassman at this point?

[andrewh]

With all the hype around CP, how is he looking? Has either rb differentiated himself from the other?
Thanks!

[Vol_til_I_die]

Thanks for the info. Just be careful, my man.

[UTGhostHunter]

Are we as thin at linebacker as we seem to be on paper, or are there players ready to step in if needed?

Having perused the recent roster updates, on seemingly significant change jumped out at me: Rivera's weight. To the best of your knowledge, was there a concerted effort to get him to shed ten pounds since last season or is it simply an unintended by-product of the offseason program?

Who is the guy flying under the fans' radar that is shaping up to do big things this season?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

[Willy999]

-Can you provide some insight into the secondary? What is your perspective on: Conklin? Ansley? Likely starters? Thanks so much in advance! Oh yeah, and LaDarrell McNeill!

-How fast is Que, CP, and Pig? Relative to Neal and Devrin?

-Do you think Davante Bourque will make any significant contribution this season?

[rocktopper16]

Sweet Info Bro.

How's the Rb situation panning out?

[Vols4life]

I wouldn't post some of the stuff you said but you could get away with saying how the players are doing...Volnation is the biggest UT board around and plenty of people look at it

[PalardyLikeARockstar]

@Jxn Vol Who is the most impressive underclassman at this point?
Hard to tell right now because we haven’t got to see everyone in pads, but Peterman is a man-child IMO. CP impresses everyone, so I’ll go with Peterman just because it’s different.

@andrewh With all the hype around CP, how is he looking?
Patterson is turning out to be everything the staff expected and more. He is fast and physical. I would look for him to be right up there in receptions per game with David-Ricky by the end of the season.
Has either rb differentiated himself from the other?
Marlin Lane is our running back, unless one of the new guys comes in and just blows everyone’s mind. Raijon will play, but in a more “catch a pass out of the backfield” style.

@UTGhostHunter Are we as thin at linebacker as we seem to be on paper, or are there players ready to step in if needed?
I think everyone is going to be surprised at our linebackers and what they have been able to accomplish so far. The entire corps looks good together, but standout player is defnintely AJ Johnson, who will be a true headhunter this season.

Having perused the recent roster updates, on seemingly significant change jumped out at me: Rivera's weight. To the best of your knowledge, was there a concerted effort to get him to shed ten pounds since last season or is it simply an unintended by-product of the offseason program?
Rivera needed to shed some weight to put on the same weight back in muscle. It sounds strange. He needed to get faster and stronger if he is going to be truly successful, and he’s working hard at that.

Who is the guy flying under the fans' radar that is shaping up to do big things this season?
Jason Croom has been extremely impressive in workouts. Another surpriser could be Pig, if he’s ready to go by the first of the season. If not, we think he’ll redshirt.


@Willy999
-Can you provide some insight into the secondary? What is your perspective on: Conklin? Ansley? Likely starters? Thanks so much in advance! Oh yeah, and LaDarrell McNeill!
I really haven’t had much of a chance to see the secondary work as a unit. I’ll get back to this question after practice begins though!

-How fast is Que, CP, and Pig? Relative to Neal and Devrin?
Que Watson is freaky. Faster than Devrin and Neal, runs meaner, too. Cordarelle is a blur, Neal may just be the slowest of this group of names.

-Do you think Davante Bourque will make any significant contribution this season?
Wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him get some carries and make a huge impact this season. He reminds me so much of Travis Henry that it’s kind of funny. Just the intensity with which he runs. He has the chance to be the starter for sure, but Marlin’s improved a great deal. Could be the most interesting position battle to watch IMO.

@Rocktopper 16

Right now, Marlin Lane is our starter. D. Bourque will have the best chance to overtake that in my opinion. We have two power runners and two sweep runners, and we’re going to utilize both styles of “Get the corner” and “Hit them in the F***in mouth.”

[PalardyLikeARockstar]

Originally Posted by Vols4life

I wouldn't post some of the stuff you said but you could get away with saying how the players are doing...Volnation is the biggest UT board around and plenty of people look at it

It's okay. They'll fire every "Cafeteria Lady" at UT before they find out who I am.

[tnvols72]

is Palardy still kicking dirt?I had to ask.He is needed in a bad way.

[_vol]

I feel like this thread doesn't have enough depth, thus not able to cover the distance of the conversation. Furthermore, it keeps missing to the right.

[Vol2424]

Originally Posted by _vol

I feel like this thread doesn't have enough depth, thus not able to cover the distance of the conversation. Furthermore, it keeps missing to the right.

lol

[orange parmejohn]

Palardy, has Jaq Smith shown any improvement?
How improved do you think the run blocking can be this season?

[SandoVOL]

Do you need a new AVY? cause I can hook you up.