Report: Slimmer Kongbo switching position

[CAVPUT]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Outside of Tuttle, none of these guys have proven themselves.

Yep. I've seen nothing from Kongbo that leads me to think he could be "dominant". Lots of players are great athletes and have the physical tools at this level. What separates the truly great ones from the other is drive, desire, heart and mind. They have the total package. It's somewhat similar to basketball. UT has the "athletic" dunkers but they lack other things. In short, they're physical specimens but they'll likely not contribute that much at this level and they certainly won't make the NBA. Folks get too hung up on stars and athletic ability. For all of them, this is a huge step up. Rare bird, indeed, that can come in and do what Barnett did as a true freshman. That's special. I don't see "special" on UT's roster yet. Some may surprise me, but like you, I'll wait until they show it on the field....where the game is played....not the weight room.

 

[CAVPUT]

In addition, Barnett took the outside rush 90% of the time, leaving gaping holes for the run game. He player himself out of position for the run way too often.

yep. Bet the NFL breaks him of that habit. The threat of losing a paycheck will alter ones perspective and allow coaches to grab an ear.

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

I'm good with this, but don't even think about screwing it up like Chief moving Leonard Little to LB his senior year.

That was more because NFL scouts projected him getting higher draft spot if he was a linebacker with his frame. That experiment as you eluded to was bad. Ironically NFL saw the light and his wreaking havoc was from DE. It's hard to change the instincts a football player has had for years then say go play this position.

 

[Weezer]

The worry becomes depth at DT. The status of KMac and Tuttle are unknown for the coming season, but they'll definitely miss Spring. We have Vickers, who played well last season, then Alexis Johnson and Quay Picou. Both will need to step up this year. Picou has supposedly been a workout warrior under Rock. Haven't heard much about Johnson's progress. Hoke supposedly likes Bain's toughness.

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

Reggie white didn't have 12 game schedules then. Also with more prostyle offenses or exact opposite veer offenses sacks were different. Back then the prostyle offenses had the hat on a hat mentality. Today's spread scheme can cause sacks by lineman taking the wrong gap because​ not knowing his blocking assignment. Also almost no one outside service academy's and Georgia Tech runs the veer. If the qb took off in the veer if you tackled him for loss it wasn't a sack but tackle for loss instead as the qb was seen as a ball carrier not QB at the point in play. Barnett never sees that, he would see designed draws every once in awhile but as a whole even in spread offense the QB is throwing threat. My point is Barnett is a great player but easier to get stats in today's game than Reggie White did.

 

[Coug]

If he likes it and the coaches approve it's a win win for the team.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Reggie was so dominant that he was named SEC Player of the Year.

I guess by this logic Joey Kent is Tennessee's all-time greatest receiver??? (No offense to Joey).

Numbers sometimes do lie.

Mark Twain once said there were 3 kinds of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Barnett and White are 2 of the best players to ever wear orange. I certainly wouldn't say Barnett was better based on one or two statistics without considering the changes to how the game is played, number of double and triple teams against him, injuries, etc.

True. Good points. My original point was Kongbo has very big shoes to fill (particularly in sack production). And if we are talking about number of sacks alone, Barnett is at the top. But I'm not taking anything away from #92, prob greatest overall defensive vol ever, to your points.

 

[butchna]

And will be a top 10 NFL pick next month

Should be, but the NFL out thinks themselves way too often...he's projected lower.

 

[savannahfan]

Reggie was so dominant that he was named SEC Player of the Year.

I guess by this logic Joey Kent is Tennessee's all-time greatest receiver??? (No offense to Joey).

Numbers sometimes do lie.

Mark Twain once said there were 3 kinds of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Barnett and White are 2 of the best players to ever wear orange. I certainly wouldn't say Barnett was better based on one or two statistics without considering the changes to how the game is played, number of double and triple teams against him, injuries, etc.

I know it was a LONG time age but, don't forget one of if not the most feared DE to ever play the game "BIG DOUG ATKINS"

 

[chuckb1448]

If that is what Kongbo wants then that should be what Kongbo gets! It is all about "mindset", if he feels "good" there then let him have it!

 

[KBVol]

Report: Tennessee Vols football Johnathan Kongbo slimmer, moving back to defensive end

Tennessee’s Jonathan Kongbo will move back to his preferred position for spring camp, according to a Friday report.
Longtime Knoxville radio broadcaster Jimmy Hyams tweeted that Kongbo — who played both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Vols last season — has dropped 20 pounds off his 6-foot-6 frame and will play his preferred end position this spring.


I'm all for it. He could be dominate this season.

I'd personally rather see him stay at DT, that's where we badly need bodies. I want to see Taylor and Phillips and Smith at DE, I think they have more upside there personally, jmo. Guess we're gonna find out. Hope this isn't the makings of another Hurd type deal where he's letting Kongbo go back to DE because he promised him that when he recruited him.

 

[savannahfan]

In addition, Barnett took the outside rush 90% of the time, leaving gaping holes for the run game. He player himself out of position for the run way too often.

Glad to hear someone say this. I noticed this habit more than his sacks. I would bet there were more good runs against us than sack made because of this type of play on his part. Guess this was called for by coaches, I don't know. But sure seemed to be less than effective doing on most every play than the more traditional play both run and pass that you see most of the time.

 

[savannahfan]

The worry becomes depth at DT. The status of KMac and Tuttle are unknown for the coming season, but they'll definitely miss Spring. We have Vickers, who played well last season, then Alexis Johnson and Quay Picou. Both will need to step up this year. Picou has supposedly been a workout warrior under Rock. Haven't heard much about Johnson's progress. Hoke supposedly likes Bain's toughness.

I think we will be in a better frame of mind to forget tut and mac for this year. Now, if they make it back and be the players we think they can be,,,, the we can wet our pants. Otherwise, let just go with what seems the way it will be.

 

[KBVol]

In addition, Barnett took the outside rush 90% of the time, leaving gaping holes for the run game. He player himself out of position for the run way too often.

And if he'd taken the inside rush "too often" you'd complain that he never set the edge and let the offense get to the corner to easily/often. Kinda difficult to be critical of Barnett's play here imo.

Also, he had teammates....if he was "taking the outside rush" too often, where were his DTs and LBs to fill those gaps? Where were his coaches doing their jobs to make sure we were in the right fronts/schemes and reeling Barnett in.

Surely Barnett wasn't going rogue at the expense of his team. Don't think I'm buying that one.

 

[RollerVol]

King Kongbo be happy now...

GO VOLS!

 

[volbeast33]

Reggie was so dominant that he was named SEC Player of the Year.

I guess by this logic Joey Kent is Tennessee's all-time greatest receiver??? (No offense to Joey).

Numbers sometimes do lie.

Mark Twain once said there were 3 kinds of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Barnett and White are 2 of the best players to ever wear orange. I certainly wouldn't say Barnett was better based on one or two statistics without considering the changes to how the game is played, number of double and triple teams against him, injuries, etc.

Reggie also played defensive tackle going up against guards and centers.... he had 100 tackles and 15 sacks his senior year.... that's crazy from your defensive tackle.

 

[bornbleddinorange]

Good News!!

Now if Tuttle and Mckenzie can go more than ONE Series without getting hurt....??? :banghead2:

We need them to stay healthy and contribute more if we are going to be relevant this year.

 

[livefaith]

Haven't quite lived up to the haynesworth Henderson hype yet have they?

This could be the year. H&H were not hyped until the final year. Henderson of course was the year before. Both have the opportunity to make A big splash for 2 years if they stay.

Without injuries, Tuttle would be a lock for the 18' draft and Mac would be looking to get into that conversation as well. Mac inexplicably coming in out of shape wasted a year for him.

 

[livefaith]

And if he'd taken the inside rush "too often" you'd complain that he never set the edge and let the offense get to the corner to easily/often. Kinda difficult to be critical of Barnett's play here imo.

Also, he had teammates....if he was "taking the outside rush" too often, where were his DTs and LBs to fill those gaps? Where were his coaches doing their jobs to make sure we were in the right fronts/schemes and reeling Barnett in.

Surely Barnett wasn't going rogue at the expense of his team. Don't think I'm buying that one.

Excellent post. Nothing else needs to be said.

 

[barrylee]

Glad to hear someone say this. I noticed this habit more than his sacks. I would bet there were more good runs against us than sack made because of this type of play on his part. Guess this was called for by coaches, I don't know. But sure seemed to be less than effective doing on most every play than the more traditional play both run and pass that you see most of the time.

I guess all the analysts and scouts who stated that one of Barnett's strengths is the way he plays the run is wrong. They couldn't possible know more than all the gurus on here..

 

[Weezer]

I wish one of the incoming DTs had been an EE so they could have benefitted from being around Rock. Having one of them ready to play early would be a great boost.

 

[CMcEver]

Barnett my be gone but this D-Line could be the deepest we've had in some time. The most talented too.

Not just Barnett, we also lose Vereen and Lewis at DE. With only Phillips returning at DE, Kongbo is going to be needed at the position. On the other hand, we return everyone at DT, Tuttle, Mckenzie, Vickers, Mixon, and outside of another crazy freak injury year, I'm not sure Kongbo will be needed at DT.

 

[terrypedigo]

And will be a top 10 NFL pick next month

Reggie would have been the number 1 overall in the DRAFT but he went to the USFL, seen them both play several time's in person and TV in college Reggie was hurt a lot of the time here but he is the Best Defense's player every to wear the ORANGE and WHITE, Barnett is good but not the player REGGIE was.

 

[Bloodrunsorange27]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Outside of Tuttle, none of these guys have proven themselves.

Agree 100%.
And Tuttle still ha to come back from a second serious leg injury.

 

[TNnative]

Don't let your emotions get in the way now. Numbers don't lie. Not saying he will be anything near Reggie in the NFL, but he did what Reggie did and then some..in 3 years.. mostly against sec competition.

Derek beat his number of sacks in 3 years, but I haven't compared their other stats. I have slept since Reggie was here, but most of his games were against SEC competition too. I do know Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech were not on Reggie's schedule. This thing could get argued 50 ways from Sunday.

I am just glad I got to see both in orange.