Kerbyson and Weisman saw a decent amount of playing time last year. Marcus Jackson played as a back-up for an entire season, and he did very well. Luckily, we were fortunate enough to be able to RS him this past season due to personnel already on the OL. Those are more than likely, at this point, three starters with SEC experience and time in the weight room. Mack Crowder is another player that has seen some playing time, but less than the others listed above.
Obviously, so far, this is a pretty vague statement, but we have three very solid players that already have SEC playing experience and time in the weight room. I fully expect Saulsberry, J. Williams, and O'Brien to play a significant role on the DL this year. However, I think the core of players that make up the OL is a bit stronger than the DL at this point.
Before I start to sway farther away from my real argument here, I want to emphasize again how difficult it is for a true freshman DL to make a significant impact in their first season. These kids have to get in shape and get in the weight room. We have a lot of freshmen coming in on defense that a lot of people are expecting to just step in right away and be productive. VN makes the claim every year, and it typically only happens with one or two players.
I think this OL has a chance to be better once their college careers are over. As you mentioned, coaching staff stability is very important and, barring 2015 being an utter failure (which I don't think it will) or staff leaving for better jobs, I don't foresee any shakeups to this staff anytime soon. Also, CBJ and Co. will be afforded time to recruit OL who are a better fit for this blocking scheme, an issue for which you and I agree that the last group wasn't well-suited.
One of the things that I think "might" save the OL is the pace of the offense and...Worley.
CBJ wants to run a ton of plays, which means less time for the DL to get to the QB. While I think Dobbs is the best QB we have, I don't think he'll be consistent enough to win the starting job. All Worley has to do is limit his mistakes and keep the offensive pace fast but smooth. Doing so will mitigate mistakes made by our young OL...hopefully.
That said, none of our guys have gone up against top-flight SEC linemen yet. That translates to OL woes through at least the middle of the season, possibly beyond.
]I guess I am asinine then; I expect the Vols to win every game (prior to the start of the game) regardless of the opponent.[/B] I do not freak out or fall apart if the Vols lose any game however. I really hope this team makes it to a good bowl, but if they do not, I will still be rooting for them next year too.
Kiffin playing to lose with a close score bothered me. Dooley and Sal losing when they should not also bothered me. They are gone now; I am still pulling for the Vols. In CBJ I trust to get the Vols back to where even "the realists" think we have a chance to beat anyone again.![]()
I think this OL has a chance to be better once their college careers are over. As you mentioned, coaching staff stability is very important and, barring 2015 being an utter failure (which I don't think it will) or staff leaving for better jobs, I don't foresee any shakeups to this staff anytime soon. Also, CBJ and Co. will be afforded time to recruit OL who are a better fit for this blocking scheme, an issue for which you and I agree that the last group wasn't well-suited.
One of the things that I think "might" save the OL is the pace of the offense and...Worley.
CBJ wants to run a ton of plays, which means less time for the DL to get to the QB. While I think Dobbs is the best QB we have, I don't think he'll be consistent enough to win the starting job. All Worley has to do is limit his mistakes and keep the offensive pace fast but smooth. Doing so will mitigate mistakes made by our young OL...hopefully.
That said, none of our guys have gone up against top-flight SEC linemen yet. That translates to OL woes through at least the middle of the season, possibly beyond.
I guess I am asinine then; I expect the Vols to win every game (prior to the start of the game) regardless of the opponent. I do not freak out or fall apart if the Vols lose any game however. I really hope this team makes it to a good bowl, but if they do not, I will still be rooting for them next year too.
Kiffin playing to lose with a close score bothered me. Dooley and Sal losing when they should not also bothered me. They are gone now; I am still pulling for the Vols. In CBJ I trust to get the Vols back to where even "the realists" think we have a chance to beat anyone again.![]()
Sorry Doc. Difference of opinion. I evaluate on relevant stats, not "we should win every game, no matter what." Type of emotion. Sometimes, I think we may get an upset beforehand, but no, I don't think we win every game. That is insanity to me
Of course, I show up every game (across the globe) excited, and hoping for the best.
Bo Pelini saying he thinks signing day should be eliminated and when a school "offers" a kid, the kid should be allowed to sign right then. He feels it would slow down the recruiting process for the kids and help eliminate a lot of the "stuff" that goes on in recruiting. He is not a fan of seeing schools throw out hundreds of offers to kids they would not actually take. Interesting stuff.
Bo Pelini saying he thinks signing day should be eliminated and when a school "offers" a kid, the kid should be allowed to sign right then. He feels it would slow down the recruiting process for the kids and help eliminate a lot of the "stuff" that goes on in recruiting. He is not a fan of seeing schools throw out hundreds of offers to kids they would not actually take. Interesting stuff.
The problem with that is there would probably be a lot of kids sign, then later have a change of heart which happens all the time in recruiting. Then they'd have a big mess with trying to release kids out of their papers & whatnot.
Bo Pelini saying he thinks signing day should be eliminated and when a school "offers" a kid, the kid should be allowed to sign right then. He feels it would slow down the recruiting process for the kids and help eliminate a lot of the "stuff" that goes on in recruiting. He is not a fan of seeing schools throw out hundreds of offers to kids they would not actually take. Interesting stuff.
I don't know if it would slow down for the kids. I think pressure would really mount at visits. How many college kids sign up for horrible credit cards because you give them a free t-shirt. I can see slimy coaches like Lane Kiffin putting massive amounts of pressure on visiting recruits. Think about how many of those visits take place without a parent even present. Then there's the Nevin Shapiro Miami stuff that goes on. He had recruits partying on a yacht. Get them drunk make them sign.At 1st I think your right. Once kids realize how it works, they would not be so quick to commit and sign. As Bo mentioned, it would likely slow things down for the kids a bit. I do agree with him about the offers. I'd like to see recruiting get to where an offer actually means something. An offer goes out to a kid and that kid knows that school would actually take him IF he tried to commit.
Like they were roofied. Wake up with a Miami shirt on "what did I do last night?"I don't know if it would slow down for the kids. I think pressure would really mount at visits. How many college kids sign up for horrible credit cards because you give them a free t-shirt. I can see slimy coaches like Lane Kiffin putting massive amounts of pressure on visiting recruits. Think about how many of those visits take place without a parent even present. Then there's the Nevin Shapiro Miami stuff that goes on. He had recruits partying on a yacht. Get them drunk make them sign.
I don't know if it would slow down for the kids. I think pressure would really mount at visits. How many college kids sign up for horrible credit cards because you give them a free t-shirt. I can see slimy coaches like Lane Kiffin putting massive amounts of pressure on visiting recruits. Think about how many of those visits take place without a parent even present. Then there's the Nevin Shapiro Miami stuff that goes on. He had recruits partying on a yacht. Get them drunk make them sign.
Well I would make sure the rule was still in place where a parent would have to be present for the recruit to actually sign. Less likely for the kid to fall prey to being "drunk signed" if the parents are on the visit. That is unless they are like Cam Newton's pops and a check cures all.
