Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXVI

Status
Not open for further replies.
#2,027
#2,027
005 said:
Not that this is an end-all, but Hurd seems faster than Henry.
Click to expand...

Hurd is much quicker and has better initial explosion. If you watch, Hurd hits the edge like a small RB.

Henry on the other hand needs a runaway to reach top speed. But when he does, no one can catch him. He definitely has better top end speed than Hurd.
 
#2,028
#2,028
So ESPNU has been airing replays of 2015 games and the SECN is showing season recaps. I've been flipping back and forth between both channels in my downtime, and here are some prevalent thoughts and takeaways of mine.

Overall, I think it's more obvious looking back that last year we just weren't ready for the Atlanta/NY6 talk. I think this team for the most part did what they were capable of. ('For the most part' because I think we could have easily swapped the any one of the close losses with the USC win; that could be fun to discuss)

I think it's too simple to say Dobbs can't throw vertical passes. He just couldn't do it consistently. He had some very good throws of 15-20 yards, and he missed about as many. While I think that'll improve with Larry Scott/Jason Croom upgrading the TE position and added OL experience, here's my major concern with Dobbs:

Ball security. There were times when he was hanging in the pocket and he got sack-fumbled, he just wasn't aware at all of the pressure. Again, that should improve with our OL, but there were also times here he was simply too loose with the ball.. Some of the fumbles don't show on the statsheet because they were OOB or in the endzone, and I know it doesn't matter--the play is over-- but I think it could cost us a game or two this next year if he doesn't tighten up.

Cam Sutton is a great all-around player for us, but he gets out-athleted by elite WR's. He's always in a good position to make a play, but he didn't play like a potential 1st round pick last year. Also, tacking once the WR has the ball, just things he can shore up.

Moseley played really well on the opposite side, and I think his size became a match-up liability with some of his assignments.

Hurd, Kamara, and Dobbs are a true three-headed monster that will mess with all kinds of linebackers this year. The only thing any of the three can improve on, again is Dobbs ball security.

I'm looking forward to having a full-game pass rush as mentioned in previous pages. DT depth will depend a lot on Tuttle's recovery, but the depth at DE is absolutely ridiculous.

I think our secondary is going to be one of the best in the SEC and/or nation next year. Sure we're losing two senior safeties, but there were some bad misses that both McNeil and Randolph had last year. I know everyone misses a tackle here and there, but I do think TKJr is going to shine as a full-time starter. Foreman went from that ridiculous PI in the back of the endzone versus OU to a reliable NCB starter. Abernathy was also standing out in spring at safety, and if Gaulden was a big enough blow that Sutton changed his number to honor him last year, I'm perfectly happy with him playing safety opposite TKJr.

Lastly, I'm a pro-Butch guy. I was pretty disgusted with the fanbase last year during the post-Arkansas witch hunt. Yes, he should have gone for two against Florida. Those are neither here nor there. Butch has recruited a team full of both talent and character, has added accountability, respect, and work ethic to the program, which has bolstered our player development.

I EVEN LIKE HIS PLAYCALLING. Last year, obviously he should have coached more aggressively down the stretch. I think what he called may work better this year than last, though. First, our pass plays just weren't well executed, be it accuracy, drops, bad routes, pressure.. Second, we didn't have the OL to tire down defenses late in games. I mean, running the ball also tires our guys out, we gotta rest guys here and there, too, but last year we didn't have nearly the depth. Our depth still isn't the best, but it is better. Even if we do call 4th quarter games a little conservatively, I think both depth and execution would make that not quite the liability it was last year.

I'm adjusting my expectations from only one loss, to two or possibly three. We do have a lot to look forward to-- Shoop, the TE position, our run game. Maybe I'm just overly worried about DT depth or our outside passing game, I dunno. Maybe I'm just tempering expectations. Maybe I've got PTSD from subjecting myself to the OU and UF replays.

I think we know what we have upgraded, but I think there's more to improve on than some of us realize.

Sorry for the novel, just contributing to discussion, I'll hang up and listen

GBO
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#2,031
#2,031
vol2002 said:
I'm talking DT too. What UT team in recent memory was in better shape than this one at that position?
Click to expand...

Obviously we are better there then in recent years past. It's still not elite SEC DT depth.

People want to believe that it is and have convinced themselves that we are great there but reality is that arguably our best DT just got out of a boot from an injury he sustained 9 months ago.

Reality is that we are going to need to stay healthy at DT. Really need a surprise or two there as well. Maybe Butcher comes along or another guy we weren't expecting to play a big part. Also, really need Alexis Johnson to get cleared and then pan out fast. We may be good enough at DE that some guys will be able to slide over. I just hate to see us putting good DE players at DT.

Sorry if this makes me seem like a downer but I am not gonna ignore the question marks we have at that position. DE looks great though.
 
#2,032
#2,032
Bassmaster_Vol said:
Hurd is faster, more shifty, better at pass pro, better receiver, better at making people miss, and just a better overall running back. Henry was harder to tackle once he got going down the field, but if he didn't get a head of steam he would go down easy. Jalen doesn't get truck sized holes to run through and still gets big yardage. Even Fournette, I know that at one point during the season, he was averaging 5 yards before contact. That is huge. No wonder he had big numbers. Jalen on the other hand was only averaging around 1.5 if memory serves. And yet he is still under 900 yds from Vols all time rushing record even without the advantages those two guys have had.
Click to expand...

I think the only time we actually saw Hurd get a full head of steam last year was the bowl game. Before that he's always trying to break tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

I'd love to see what Hurd could do behind an o-line opening up holes for him like the Dallas Cowboys and from the I-formation.
 
#2,033
#2,033
vol2002 said:
I'm talking DT too. What UT team in recent memory was in better shape than this one at that position?
Click to expand...

You look at the Elite teams. They all have depth at DT. That's the area we are lacking. Not saying we won't be a great team, but it's crucial to have if you want to get to the playoffs imo
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,035
#2,035
Aesius said:
We will likely begin fall camp with 3 capable and proven DTs. That's not proper depth.
Click to expand...

Go rewatch some of our games from last season. Phillips and Lewis played alot of DT on 3rd downs. Kongbo and Butcher are both 270+.

We'll be fine as long as Tuttle is back to 100%.

Tuttle/K-Mac/Vickers/O'Brien can handle 1st and 2nd downs.

Then we bring in Kongbo, Phillips, and Lewis to rush the passer on 3rd down from the DT position.

We'll be fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#2,036
#2,036
BigZiti09 said:
Obviously we are better there then in recent years past. It's still not elite SEC DT depth.

People want to believe that it is and have convinced themselves that we are great there but reality is that arguably our best DT just got out of a boot from an injury he sustained 9 months ago.

Reality is that we are going to need to stay healthy at DT. Really need a surprise or two there as well. Maybe Butcher comes along or another guy we weren't expecting to play a big part. Also, really need Alexis Johnson to get cleared and then pan out fast. We may be good enough at DE that some guys will be able to slide over. I just hate to see us putting good DE players at DT.

Sorry if this makes me seem like a downer but I am not gonna ignore the question marks we have at that position. DE looks great though.
Click to expand...

Who is better than us at DT in the SEC?
 
#2,038
#2,038
vol2002 said:
Who is better than us at DT in the SEC?
Click to expand...

Without even looking at the rosters i am going to say bama LSU and Florida.

Edit: possibly more teams. Those are just first three that come to mind that recruit really well at that position.
 
Last edited:
#2,039
#2,039
BigZiti09 said:
Need to swap Tuttle and Danny IMO.

Scary depth chart and not in a good way. We better stay healthy at DT. That's all I know.
Click to expand...

Why do people assume O'Brien is going to start if Shy isn't ready?

Vickers was ahead of him on the depth chart all of last year.

In fact Vickers was the starter alongside Owen Williams. And I thought he played really well.

Vickers >>> O'Brien
 
#2,043
#2,043
BigZiti09 said:
Obviously we are better there then in recent years past. It's still not elite SEC DT depth.

People want to believe that it is and have convinced themselves that we are great there but reality is that arguably our best DT just got out of a boot from an injury he sustained 9 months ago.

Reality is that we are going to need to stay healthy at DT. Really need a surprise or two there as well. Maybe Butcher comes along or another guy we weren't expecting to play a big part. Also, really need Alexis Johnson to get cleared and then pan out fast. We may be good enough at DE that some guys will be able to slide over. I just hate to see us putting good DE players at DT.

Sorry if this makes me seem like a downer but I am not gonna ignore the question marks we have at that position. DE looks great though.
Click to expand...

He's been out of the boot since April.

Try again.
 
#2,050
#2,050
Catbone said:
You look at the Elite teams. They all have depth at DT. That's the area we are lacking. Not saying we won't be a great team, but it's crucial to have if you want to get to the playoffs imo
Click to expand...

Please start listing those teams?

Because outside of Alabama there is no one that has GREAT depth at DT. Even the best teams are trying to cobble together guys after their starters.

Go look up Clemson's depth chart. They're relying on a true freshmen to start for them.

Kmac, Tuttle, Vickers, and O'Brien are sufficient.

And then when you look at guys like Phillips and Kongbo who are versatile enough to kick inside, I would argue we're in as good a position as anyone in the country outside of Alabama.

Not many teams can say they have 2 5* defensive tackles and 2 5* defensive ends that are big enough to play DT in certain scenarios.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
New posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Advertisement





Back
Top