Tuttle is typical freshman, 'with talent'

[ItsAllVols]

Fellow VolNation posters >> We play 12 games this year, that means we will only have 1 bye week and its in the middle of the season before Bama, depth will be a premium at all positions.

I think CBJ want DL that had no bad weight so we could play with speed, most freshman DL come in with 20-40lbs with bad weight so look for Tuttle to be a work in process player along with KM who may not need to change his body as much as others..we need 6 DL and DE that can play thru out a game for fresh legs, its going to be a long season if we cant depend on incoming freshman to play multiple snaps this year we are going to be wore out at the end of the year. UT was limping on 1 leg going into Vandy game, you can thank JDobbs for that he simply put the team on his back and won it.

We are all excited about the win possibility this year and I'm right there with you, but what could change that is injuries to players in position of no depth. So here is to a healthy season for our players.

 

[Thrasher865]

I'm glad he is showing out, Idk why sites dropped him down to a 4*. He has 5* talent.

You apparently didn't even click the link. It says he is making a lot of typical freshman mistakes, but they can see he has talent.

He's not "showing out."

He will be good, but we shouldn't be expecting a Derek Barnett type of freshman conquest from him. At the same time, though, he has a lot of time to continue to improve before opening weekend.

 

[Thrasher865]

Let's not forget how talented McKenzie is. If he comes in in great shape then he plays probably 40 snaps a game. If football rules were the same as basketball rules then he could be a rare one and done type of player. He will command a lot of double teams if he can keep his pad level right because he is as strong as a lot of college seniors. He already squats over 600 pounds.

Tuttle will play too. He will get in better shape over the summer. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get at least 10 snaps per game early on....maybe more. He is very talented.

The scary thing is, McKenzie's family has money. He's the kind of player that could stay all 4 years without financial worry. I doubt it happens, but he could be a #1 overall type player, especially if he's here 4 years.

I haven't paid attention. How's he doing in camp?

 

[Thrasher865]

so look for Tuttle to be a work in process player along with KM who may not need to change his body as much as others..

McKenzie is probably more physically ready than most of our upperclassmen lol.

 

[BleedingButch]

We return 4 starters, BUT...

Oklahoma returns 1 DL starter
Florida 2 DL starters
Georgia returns ZERO DL starters
Missouri returns 1 DL starter
Kentucky returns 1 DL starter
Arkansas returns 2 DL starter
Vandy returns 2 DL starter

The year we returned 0 DL starters we made a gigantic improvement. Hopefully not the case with UGA.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

The scary thing is, McKenzie's family has money. He's the kind of player that could stay all 4 years without financial worry. I doubt it happens, but he could be a #1 overall type player, especially if he's here 4 years.

I haven't paid attention. How's he doing in camp?

McKenzie isn't in spring camp. He's still in HS. He'll be in Knoxville in about a month or so.

 

[walkenvol]

we need 6 DL and DE that can play thru out a game for fresh legs.

While this sounds great, I doubt its possible to sign 6 top SEC talented DT's as they all want playing time and many will go where they can get that PT. IF KM and ST show out in 2015, CBJ will be challenged to sign another 2 top shelf DT's in 2016....plus we all tend to forget Picou who was also a 4*.

I believe 4 good ones at both DT and DE are more realistic. Split evenly this gives both guys 40-50 snaps. Extra depth is mostly needed just for injuries.

Can you name an SEC team with a legit 6 man DT rotation....not one where the 5th and 6th guys get <10 snaps but where they actually play significant minutes?

 

[Remy]

I like our DL in 2015.

O'Brien and Williams will be solid starters. Vickers and Tuttle or McKenzie will be solid backups. Mosley will also provide depth, as will Saulsberry if he can get healthy enough to play.

Much better rotation there than last year when it was basically O'Brien, J. Williams, and Saulsberry.

I think this year late in games, our DL rotation will dominate in most of our games. I will be surprised if they don't.

 

[Remy]

McKenzie isn't in spring camp. He's still in HS. He'll be in Knoxville in about a month or so.

I believe before his career on The Hill ends he will be leading the band in playing Rocky Top at Neyland.

 

[Cosmo]

If our offense can keep our defense off of the field, I think our D can be very special. I think great defenses thrive when they stay fresh, due to sustained drives by their offenses.

 

[livefaith]

Reminiscing about the days with BIG John Henderson & Albert Haynesworth patrolling the middle of the Tennessee defensive line.

Looking forward to that as well. But "I've pumped the brakes enough" to realize that KM & ST are TRUE freshmen and will most certainly have a learning curve and physical preparedness curve to develop in.

The more posts people make, the more the assumption is that we have Haynesworth and Henderson right now. We don't. We more likely have Henderson in 1998 and Haynesworth in 1999 right now. Just watched the UT v ND 1999 game for the first time on TV (saw @ Neyland). Haynesworth played well as a FR, but he was by no means the best DL on the field that night. AH is possibly the most dominant NT/DT to play in the history of the NFL, for the 2-3 seasons at his peak. But he was just a serviceable DT on a top flight SEC defense as a true FR.

Huge expectations for KM & ST. But I have those expectations tempered for the 15' season. This aint' a few 1:1 drills against elite HS prospects. This is the trenches of the toughest conference in college FB.

 

[TNBV]

2 things:

1) Did you watch UT football the year Sal Sunseri was DC? That was in no way, shape or form fun to watch.

Sal Sunseri wasn't the issue. Except for maybe Jesus Christ, no DC in the world could have fixed that defensive squads main problem, SPEED.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Looking forward to that as well. But "I've pumped the brakes enough" to realize that KM & ST are TRUE freshmen and will most certainly have a learning curve and physical preparedness curve to develop in.

The more posts people make, the more the assumption is that we have Haynesworth and Henderson right now. We don't. We more likely have Henderson in 1998 and Haynesworth in 1999 right now. Just watched the UT v ND 1999 game for the first time on TV (saw @ Neyland). Haynesworth played well as a FR, but he was by no means the best DL on the field that night. AH is possibly the most dominant NT/DT to play in the history of the NFL, for the 2-3 seasons at his peak. But he was just a serviceable DT on a top flight SEC defense as a true FR.

Huge expectations for KM & ST. But I have those expectations tempered for the 15' season. This aint' a few 1:1 drills against elite HS prospects. This is the trenches of the toughest conference in college FB.

Amen. Excited about Shy and Mac. Expect to see them playing some in '15, and drinking from a fire hose as they do. Expect to see them as starters tearing up our opponents in '16.

 

[Thrasher865]

McKenzie isn't in spring camp. He's still in HS. He'll be in Knoxville in about a month or so.

Oh yeah. He's been committed so long I forgot he wasn't an EE.

 

[irnman4vols]

Does anyone have an update on Saulsberry? Haven't heard anything lately

 

[Nocleats]

2 things:

1) Did you watch UT football the year Sal Sunseri was DC? That was in no way, shape or form fun to watch.

Sal Sunseri wasn't the issue. Except for maybe Jesus Christ, no DC in the world could have fixed that defensive squads main problem, SPEED.

Absolutely!!!

 

[KBVol]

This is true, cleats. And the DL is a hard place for a FR to make a true impact. Especially when you consider:

Vandy: Returning 4 OL starters (not like it matters)
Kentucky: Returning 4 OL starters
Missouri: Returning 4 OL starters
Arkansas: Returning 4 OL starters
Georgia: Returning 4 OL starters
USC: Returning 3 OL Starters

I mean, they're going to be facing some really experienced SEC upperclassmen, so it's realistic.

Of course, the good news is:

Oklahoma: Returning 2 OL starters
Alabama: Returning 2 OL starters
Florida: Returning 1 OL starter

So, the three games that would be HUGE momentum swingers for us, they're going to be fresh offensive lines that are not as experienced, especially good since Florida and Oklahoma are early on in the season.

But it is true, it is hard for a FR to make THAT big of an impact in this conference. But...look at Myles Garrett. Look at Derek Barnett. NOBODY predicted Barnett to play how he did, and he wasn't even an EE. So, DL is possible for a freshman to make an impact.

Oh, and in other news?

For those of you concerned about our OL? Obviously, concern is merited, BUT, just from an "experience" standpoint:

We return 4 starters, BUT...

Oklahoma returns 1 DL starter
Florida 2 DL starters
Georgia returns ZERO DL starters
Missouri returns 1 DL starter
Kentucky returns 1 DL starter
Arkansas returns 2 DL starter
Vandy returns 2 DL starter

No team on our schedule that is a Power 5 team returns more than 3 starters on the DL. So, therefore, our OL SHOULD have an experience advantage. Hopefully with the addition of Debord, and the fact that we now have a mobile QB that doesn't allow for stacking the box, our OL will have significant improvement.

I think it matters, because Butch said all of this year that we had 0 returning starters on the OL and DL. This year, we're bringing back 4 and 3 respectively. So, the experience will be there.

Appreciate the great data. Outstanding post 505.

Really gonna suck when we lose to Florida yet again given that they only return 3 total OL/DL starters.

 

[triadvolfan]

2 things:

1) Did you watch UT football the year Sal Sunseri was DC? That was in no way, shape or form fun to watch.

Sal Sunseri wasn't the issue. Except for maybe Jesus Christ, no DC in the world could have fixed that defensive squads main problem, SPEED.

You have a very different memory of 2012 than I do. A defense isn't that epically bad without both bad coaching and lack of talent. I agree they were slow. That didn't explain why they were lined up wrong and blew assignments repeatedly.

They dropped from #57 in the country in yards per play to #102 in one year after returning 8 defensive starters. Sunseri has to shoulder some of the blame. They should have been mediocre, instead they were abysmal.

 

[TheRealUT98]

2 things:

1) Did you watch UT football the year Sal Sunseri was DC? That was in no way, shape or form fun to watch.

2) I personally enjoy a good, creative, and fast paced offense. I love watching a fundamentally sound, tough, hard hitting defense, but I do enjoy watching a team like Oregon do their thing, or even Ohio State, and what they did this year in the playoffs. I enjoy when an offense can just impose their will on a Defense. When you're able to do that, I have a heck of a lot of fun watching that.

I can appreciate a great defense, but like the saying goes...offense sells tickets.

Offense may sell tickets, I went to a few games in 2012 and left disappointed every time. If we would of had any sort of a defense at all we could of had a good year. I would rather win then sell tickets (we are the Vols we always sell out the stadium). Defense wins championships if they can't score they can't win.GBO

 

[TNHopeful505]

Offense may sell tickets, I went to a few games in 2012 and left disappointed every time. If we would of had any sort of a defense at all we could of had a good year. I would rather win then sell tickets (we are the Vols we always sell out the stadium). Defense wins championships if they can't score they can't win.GBO

You gotta have both. Remember Crompton's junior year? Had a phenomenal defense....but offense went 3 and out just about every possession. The defense was exhausted by the third quarter.

If you have a great offense and a great defense, you're going to be great (no duh, right?)

If you have a great offense and a mediocre defense, you're still going to be just fine.

If you have a mediocre offense and a great defense, however, games are harder to win. No defense is impossible to break. This year's Florida's disaster is a great illustration of what happens when you have a good defense, but no offense.

I think this year, we will have a fantastic balance. We'll have backs who can move the chains, a QB who can get some short yard scrambles when needed, we'll have some solid possession receivers back (SO glad to have Josh Smith back). And then our defense will do a great job at coming in and getting off the field.

I think for the first time since Fulmer, TN will actually have a fairly balanced offense AND defense. We've always seemed to have one or the other here lately, but never both.

 

[dcm3w]

This is true, cleats. And the DL is a hard place for a FR to make a true impact. Especially when you consider:

Vandy: Returning 4 OL starters (not like it matters)
Kentucky: Returning 4 OL starters
Missouri: Returning 4 OL starters
Arkansas: Returning 4 OL starters
Georgia: Returning 4 OL starters
USC: Returning 3 OL Starters

I mean, they're going to be facing some really experienced SEC upperclassmen, so it's realistic.

Of course, the good news is:

Oklahoma: Returning 2 OL starters
Alabama: Returning 2 OL starters
Florida: Returning 1 OL starter

So, the three games that would be HUGE momentum swingers for us, they're going to be fresh offensive lines that are not as experienced, especially good since Florida and Oklahoma are early on in the season.

But it is true, it is hard for a FR to make THAT big of an impact in this conference. But...look at Myles Garrett. Look at Derek Barnett. NOBODY predicted Barnett to play how he did, and he wasn't even an EE. So, DL is possible for a freshman to make an impact.

Oh, and in other news?

For those of you concerned about our OL? Obviously, concern is merited, BUT, just from an "experience" standpoint:

We return 4 starters, BUT...

Oklahoma returns 1 DL starter
Florida 2 DL starters
Georgia returns ZERO DL starters
Missouri returns 1 DL starter
Kentucky returns 1 DL starter
Arkansas returns 2 DL starter
Vandy returns 2 DL starter

No team on our schedule that is a Power 5 team returns more than 3 starters on the DL. So, therefore, our OL SHOULD have an experience advantage. Hopefully with the addition of Debord, and the fact that we now have a mobile QB that doesn't allow for stacking the box, our OL will have significant improvement.

I think it matters, because Butch said all of this year that we had 0 returning starters on the OL and DL. This year, we're bringing back 4 and 3 respectively. So, the experience will be there.

They'll have their hands full with those monsters that play for Arkansas. We'll hold our own on the perimeter but we can't let them steamroll us

 

[Remy]

They'll have their hands full with those monsters that play for Arkansas. We'll hold our own on the perimeter but we can't let them steamroll us

I hate to but I have to agree. Of all the games on our schedule for 2015, the one causing me the biggest concern is the Arkansas game. Our kids on D are going to have to man up, we'll find out the true character of our D that Saturday.

 

[LouderVol]

No they won't. Lack of size last year was a MAJOR concern for Janzek and Stripling and they vocalized it repeatedly. Because we now have size....young or not...they are going to get the starts. Seniority isn't going to win the day, here. Size and considerably more talent will.

I expect Mosley to also be a major contributor, especially on short yardage situations. Mosley just cannot be moved. Williams and Obrien can.

i think Janzek still prefers some smaller bodies. I believe I have heard that we want a large typical DT at the 1 spot, and a "smaller" one at the 3 spot. at least for some plays and situations. and it seems like they fit that perfectly. and while it was a concern and we were definitely hurt by the run, its not like we were terrible last year against the run. pretty sure we improved over 13 (and definitely 12). just saying that just because they aren't the biggest meanest looking dogs out there doesn't mean they can't hang with the biggest meanest dogs. as long as they fight harder than their opponent we will be alright while we bring up the young guys playing the guys we have.

 

[KBVol]

2 things:

1) Did you watch UT football the year Sal Sunseri was DC? That was in no way, shape or form fun to watch.

Sal Sunseri wasn't the issue. Except for maybe Jesus Christ, no DC in the world could have fixed that defensive squads main problem, SPEED.

What? Sunseri was a huge part of the problem. Yes the players were slow, but they were also constantly confused and consistently out of position because of the unnecessary complexity of his schemes. For crying out loud, we gave up 48 points and 700+ yds to freaking Troy....surely you're not gonna try to convince us that we were slower than Troy are you?

 

[pimo1]

The defense Tennessee is putting together may actually be more fun to watch than the offense. Don't you think?

I am of th opinion that i do not want to watch my teams defense or any extended period of time. Because it usually means

A. The opposing offense is chewing up clock keeping ours of the field.
B. Our ofense is not managing the loc wel/turning it over.

there is however case C where our offense is scoring so fast and furious the defense can't warm their seats at all in that case I am ok watchig our defense and praying none of the dlines hearts explode.