Tuesday Practice Updates 4.4.17

[KBVol]

You guys are confusing talent/readiness with depth. 3rd string isn't as talented/ready as 2nd string. 2nd string isn't as talented/ready as 1st. But those capable bodies are able to provide depth. To provide rest to the 1st/2nd string. To mop-up and learn in the process.

No, I dont think they are. Talent, readiness to play and ability to step in and play is quality depth.....and if your depth isn't quality and an option to be put in the game and used when the coaches need it, then it's not depth at all.

Last year at this point, we had 2 former 5 star rated players and assumed future NFL running backs in Hurd and AK....backed up by a promising/definite sec caliber RB in Kelly, and what most thought was a talented, promising freshman RB in CFA. Rounding out our RB corps were 5 walk ons (Dowdy, Lewis, Love, Sparks and Omer)

This year, at the same point in time, we have one proven stud SEC running back (Kelly), backed up by an unproven, banged up though still potentially good SEC RB sophomore (CFA), and 4 warm body types in Dowdy, Sparks, Love and Omer. This summer we will add a promising stud freshman RB in Chandler and 2 other freshmen rbs in Jordan and Coleman, who may turn out to be great, but are not at this point gonna be counted on for anything outside of special teams unless one or both really surprise.

Perhaps in week 6 or 7 of the season we can compare where we are at the position this year vs last year and who knows, perhaps we're legitimately 3-4 deep with Kelly, CFA, Chandler and one of the others making great contributions. However, what if Kelly quits, CFA gets injured and Chandler can't play? Then what will we say in making comparisons of 2016 to 2017? Won't know til we get there and can't make a comparison imo until we do.

 

[mitzustu]

I've compared to all points. Basically, we're replacing AK with 3 newbies. We may not have the immediate impact with them that we're losing with AK, but we have the depth IMO. If any one of the three can contribute (and I think they will), then we're good.

We started last year with:

Hurd
Kamara
Kelly
CFA

Starting this year with:

Kelly
CFA
Chandler
Coleman
Jordan

If you can explain to me how this year is better if be astonished.

 

[Kristy*]

We started last year with:

Hurd
Kamara
Kelly
CFA

Starting this year with:

Kelly
CFA
Chandler
Coleman
Jordan

If you can explain to me how this year is better if be astonished.

Clearly I'm in the minority on this, and I'm okay with that. Anyway, last post on this subject for me.

Last year we started with a RS Jr, Jr, So, and Fr with a combined 4 years experience and 1 newbie to provide depth (which was needed). We finished the year without the Jr and could have used another body for depth IMO when AK went down. This year, we'll start the year with a Jr, So, and 3 Fr with a combined 3 years experience (pretty close) and more options to provide the needed depth.

 

[YorkVol]

This guy? Yeah, my confidence isn't through the roof we are looking at a future UT star

You win the un-nice comment of the day. (and 3 people liked this? Shame):sad:

 

[The Artful Dodger]

how about a 200 lb 6 foot Redshirt freshman. Sound like he's going to make some noise?

I'm 6'4" 245, but that doesn't mean I can play or have the potential to play LB. These guys were not good enough to warrant scholarships, and while you might have a diamond in the rough walk-on every once in a while, doesn't mean you can rely on them to be "Breakout Players." There will be 3 RB's that play a majority of the snaps. Kelly 75-80% of the touches and the other 20-25% will be split between CFA and Chandler. The other guys won't see the field unless there are injuries or we are up by 40. You aren't honestly expecting these guys to contribute meaningfully, are you?

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

I'm 6'4" 245, but that doesn't mean I can play or have the potential to play LB. These guys were not good enough to warrant scholarships, and while you might have a diamond in the rough walk-on every once in a while, doesn't mean you can rely on them to be "Breakout Players." There will be 3 RB's that play a majority of the snaps. Kelly 75-80% of the touches and the other 20-25% will be split between CFA and Chandler. The other guys won't see the field unless there are injuries or we are up by 40. You aren't honestly expecting these guys to contribute meaningfully, are you?

What I expect is that if our one and two both go down (our luck the lately) we have another RB and don't have to throw a safety or something in there at RB.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

But to his original point...



I see why there's reason for optimism. I think it's fair to say we should expect improvement from every position group with the exception of 3 which are coincidentally pretty important spots:

QB, RB, DL

Not to say we won't be better but need to know what we have here. DL is most critical here. Think about it...even if QB and RB combo could equal last years potency, dreary DL play will put us in an uphill battle. We saw at the end of last year that despite a high powered offensive unit, if your DL can't control the line you'll need to score 40+ to win. Can't put that much pressure on the young QB each game.

...which in the end makes a dominant Shy / KMAC combo key for success.

It will depend on who is healthy. Shoop didn't forget how to coach, and Warren/Hoke seem like great additions. So, as long as we don't have another injury plagued season the defense WILL improve. DKjr stands to make himself a lot of money with a great year.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

OK you guys are letting buthurt overrule reality.
Hurd is the best RB we have had in a long time as far as pure talent and translating to the NFL. Kamara and Kelly were both better fits for this particular offense but I would pause very long before saying either was "better" than him. Kamara could be but never had to carry the load. Kelly has not has the time to build a resume. Not saying at the end he might turn out better but that's a crazy thing to say right now.

Jalen Hurd was a kid who took some advice most people would call bad. That being said, we don't know what he was facing and why he came to make the choice he made. I think we need to just wish the kid the best and move on. Trust me it couldn't have been easy for him to make the choice he made and also it couldn't have been easy playing in an offense he was not a fit for for 3 years. I honestly believe if he played in most any other SEC offense those 3 years he would have been in the heisman convo.

it was a bad fit and he still made it work for almost 3 years.

This is why. Kid was already at a disadvantage being raised by this.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

Tweet from KMac...

6 months‼️ felt good to hit some people today.

Good news.

Now if we can start getting some good progress reports on Shy, I will really start to get excited.

 

[The Artful Dodger]

What I expect is that if our one and two both go down (our luck the lately) we have another RB and don't have to throw a safety or something in there at RB.

Ok. But that still doesn't mean that depth is anywhere close to last year's. You have to be able to contribute in some capacity to be labeled as depth. And besides Kelly, Chandler, and CFA we don't have that and we had A LOT more of it last year.

You can add any schmo to the team and label him a RB, but that doesn't mean you can count on him for anything other than practice reps. SO, if you have players at the position that you cannot use, then its NOT depth. And if these players you speak of were usable then they would have scholarships.

 

[BeecherVol]

On the field. SC game. Kamara dinged and Hurd EMO'ing. Kelly and CFA.

Was at the game, remember it well.

We typically only play 2, occasionally playing both together. Is that why none of the others on the roster played?

 

[butchna]

This is why. Kid was already at a disadvantage being raised by this.

A woman?

 

[butchna]

Was at the game, remember it well.

We typically only play 2, occasionally playing both together. Is that why none of the others on the roster played?

Rest of the game praying that Kelly doesn't get injured...depth?

 

[BeecherVol]

Rest of the game praying that Kelly doesn't get injured...depth?

Thats kinda the point. You can have 25 RBs listed on the roster, most everyone across the country doesn't want their 4 taking meaningful snaps because thats typically the cutoff for how many legit RBs you can roster at once. And he's the 4 for a reason.

Kelly is legit.
CFA is the default 2 until somebody (Ty) takes it. He had 14 carries last year, so there is still plenty to do there.
Ty is expected to be good enough to provide snaps pretty early. But he has yet to do any of that.

Im not sure anyone knows what happens after those 3. I doubt the coaches want to find out.

 

[wesleydmartin]

nice, exciting times.....

 

[BeecherVol]

This is why. Kid was already at a disadvantage being raised by this.

A woman?

Where was dad when you....oh, yeah.

 

[Brasszilla]

A woman?

a very level headed, grounded, non-confrontational, rational woman

 

[Keyser Soze]

Position group that we have improved the most in between 2016 and 2017 is coaching. This may be one of the best coaching staffs in the country... It's just a shame that it took Jones job being in jeopardy to trim the fat and bring in good coaches!

 

[butchna]

Thats kinda the point. You can have 25 RBs listed on the roster, most everyone across the country doesn't want their 4 taking meaningful snaps because thats typically the cutoff for how many legit RBs you can roster at once. And he's the 4 for a reason.

Kelly is legit.
CFA is the default 2 until somebody (Ty) takes it. He had 14 carries last year, so there is still plenty to do there.
Ty is expected to be good enough to provide snaps pretty early. But he has yet to do any of that.

Im not sure anyone knows what happens after those 3. I doubt the coaches want to find out.

I'm not hung up on # of running backs ON THE ROSTER. Just viable players. There's an element of unknown I agree but less so than last season imo. We had four running backs that we reasonably HOPED could perform going into last season. Ended with two vetted performers. This season five...we end up with 3 and that's still forward motion.

 

[Roustabout]

Chandler was an elite level recruit and needs to contribute early. And RBs do play early in this league.

These backs will have an advantage in that this will be the most experienced and deep Oline since Butch arrived.

Assuming Rock is half as good as advertised, the Oline should take a big step forward.

 

[KBVol]

Ok. But that still doesn't mean that depth is anywhere close to last year's. You have to be able to contribute in some capacity to be labeled as depth. And besides Kelly, Chandler, and CFA we don't have that and we had A LOT more of it last year.

You can add any schmo to the team and label him a RB, but that doesn't mean you can count on him for anything other than practice reps. SO, if you have players at the position that you cannot use, then its NOT depth. And if these players you speak of were usable then they would have scholarships.

Perfectly stated. Just common sense imo.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

It just seems like Richmond is taking that position and making it his. Tatum and Smith have split time with him over there and maybe I was just spoiled by how well Chance Hall played as a freshman, but Richmond looked overmatched against everybody he played against last year. He is still just a sophomore, so I will hold final judgment. But with Smith coming in this year and Mays and possibly Wray coming in next year, Richmond better start showing out quickly. God know I hope he does.

Remember that we saw two different Richmonds last year. In the first game, he was lost and ineffective. He was replaced by Kendrick which help stabilize the left side. Richmond continued to work and develop, working specifically with Wells. When Hall went down, Kendrick moved back to RT and Richmond came back as the LT. His performance improved significantly. He finished the year with strong performances. He just needed the extra time to develop. I expect him to be even better this year. Same is true for all the OL. They will be bigger, stronger, and better coached. And hopefully nastier!!!!!:rock:

 

[BeecherVol]

I'm not hung up on # of running backs ON THE ROSTER. Just viable players. There's an element of unknown I agree but less so than last season imo. We had four running backs that we reasonably HOPE could perform going into last season. Ended with two vetted performers. This season five...we end up with 3 and that's still forward motion.

Maybe not but it appears some are, and I was responding to them.

"Reasonable hope" may be a stretch for your 5.

Who are the 5 by the way? Ive got 3 figured out.

 

[Go Fight Win]

Chandler seems like the kind of kid who could come in day one and compete. What usually holds up the big time recruits from contributing is a combination of weight room and attitude, and ty has been in a college level weight room for a few years now (great HS weight program) and attitude wise he'll be ready

I'm excited to see our RB's this year. Will be a much different style of RB than we are used to

 

[99bubble]

CFA is ready he has added the right weight and he looked good in scrimmage. He will be #2 opening season while Chandler gets his plays and blocking assignments down. In a pinch if need be Dowdey would be the one they would play. Watch out though for Tim Jordan he is a serious Athlete and really good receiving skills.

Have you seen Dowdy any in practice? Kid was up for Mr. Football his Sr year at Blackman but didn't turn 18 until he arrived on campus. Wondering if anyone has watched to see how he's doing? He might be able to play at this level. Film looked good against good competition. Haven't compared it to Chandler's or CFA's.