Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXXVI

[Ron Swanson]

The Day After...free read on VQ...

https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/the-day-after-337

DEFINING MOMENTS

1. Chandler to the house – After an emotional win Monday night and a short week of preparation, everyone wondered if the Vols might be a little flat emotionally and a little sluggish. Freshman Ty Chandler answered that question by taking the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.

2. Brandon Johnson touchdown – It was Johnson's first-career touchdown and it was big as the Vols look for more playmakers, but that's not why the play was a defining moment. It was a big play because it was a Quinten Dormady check. Dormady audibled the protection and audibled the route for Johnson. It's a play that shows why Dormady is the starter.

3. Signing day the last four years – Simply put, the Vols were just more talented. They have better football players and that why the outcome of the game was never a question.

4. Shy Tuttle's return – You won't find anyone in the program who's not on cloud 9 for Tuttle's return to football. The defensive tackle has worked countless hours to return from last season's knee injury that left some wondering if he could make it back this year. His return is huge for a defensive interior that has had very little rotation of personnel the first two games this season.

...

GAMEBALL

Quinten Dormady threw a bad redzone interception, but the junior quarterback looked more comfortable on Saturday as he went 13 for 18 for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dormady made a check and a big time throw to Brandon Johnson for a touchdown.

The junior from Texas was by no means perfect, but he made a step from game one to game two and is Tennessee's starter next week against Florida.

BIGGEST CONCERN/QUESTION MOVING FORWARD

The biggest concern is the line of scrimmage for the Vols. With a 160 yards rushing, the Vols had a solid day on the ground but not a great day. Tennessee's offensive front gave up a sack and gave up seven tackles for loss. Defensively, Tennessee had 11 tackles for loss, but four of them came in the last two possessions. The only sack came from Deandre Johnson in mop-up duty.

Next week, it's into the SEC slate and it becomes all about the line of scrimmage. Can the Vols win in the trenches against conference competition? In two games Tennessee has given up 657 yards on the ground in two games while rushing for 308 yards.

Having a full week to get ready is big for the Vols as it will give them time to recover. Defensive line coach Brady Hoke again went with a very small rotation along the defensive front. Can they play a third straight game that way, particularly if there's afternoon heat and humidity to deal with next week?

 

[Ron Swanson]

Gbo

 

[Nash_Vol97]

Correct.

Thought so. Any chance of still being played in the swamp in your opinion?

 

[HankHill]

Probably from his high rating as a prospect. I do think from the little we've seen this week and in the spring that upside and potential are obvious. I'm not sure he's got the patience and maturity yet for us to ever see that come to fruition here.

My big worry is that we'll end up seeing him blossom at another school 1-2 years from now. Complete speculation on my part, but I'm starting to think that neither of our QBs is overly happy with the way the competition has been/is being handled.

We have two other QBs coming in, if he leaves he leaves. Just so many vol fans have all their eggs in his basket for no reason. I've said all along he has little to no touch on the all and he isn't as fast as everyone was hoping.

Qd reminds me of Ainge a lot. I think he's really patient with his progressions and is sometimes taking the easy route instead of testing a 1on1 situation but I think that Is what we need. Ball control will help our defense a lot.

 

[volinbama256]

Good chance everyone is back but Wells, Callaway and Smith according to ITG guys.

With all respect, but sorry that is garbage. So a min of 5-8 guys are involved in a criminal investigation dealing with CC's and everything magically gets wrapped up and cleared in 2-3 weeks? Shady AF. At most schools, these kids would be off the team, much less only a two game suspension. This isn't weed. This is committing fraud on the University where you are enrolled and receiving benefits from...

 

[ChattaTNVol]

Couple quotes that I liked particularly for you then:
(On how defense played coming off Georgia Tech game)
“(We were) 0-11 on third down, that is good to hear. You don’t know stats like that during the
game, it’s good to hear, but you can always improve. There are always things we could do
better. WE all know we could have played better…shut them out especially. Always looking to
improve, but playing better than we did last week. We want to keep improving week-by-week.”
(On playing two exotic offenses in back-to-back weeks)
Yeah… with all the shifts and everything like that, you just got to be locked into what’s going on.
Knowing that your linebackers got your back and that they will be calling out what you need to
do and where you need to line up—everything like that. Seeing them, making sure that they are
all locked in and that they are making the right calls and all that.
(On how he feels after heavy workloads in back-to-back weeks)
“Well, that’s what you play for. You want to be out there on the field, so you feel good after
you win. That’s all I try to focus on. We got a great training staff. We got a great strength staff.
They are making sure we are all strong and healthy, so there’s nothing weird about that. We
just go to work every day.”
(On being mentally prepared for Florida week)
“Of course, you want to enjoy the win, hug mom and dad, hug my sisters, and all that, but it’s
Florida week now. It’s a different mindset. It’s a different… It’s the real season now. It’s time to
get going. It’s time for our SEC rivals.”


You can find the transcription for all the interviews, except for the mystery Callaway interview at this link.

Also, do not pay any attention to the normal sized human next to Kahlil that keeps looking around in the clip lol

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Coleslaw]

Don't care where the game is played.

Don't even care if FL has everyone back. We win by 17.

May be 17-0

or 27-10

or 42-27

Doesn't matter. We will win.

42-27=17. USMC cipherin?

 

[drvenner]

Jave36 mentioned this---

Since the FL investigation/suspensions are supposedly in the hands of the Admin and not donkey since it's a criminal investigation, wouldn't ya'll think that the suspensions would have to be upheld since they were labeled as "indefinitely" and it's only been a week since Mich? I mean, if this week goes by and we still play Saturday and magically all those players are back, that would be a whole nother level of shadiness that I would think couldn't be overlooked by the national media?

I would think so, but it is Florida, so, I am expecting theme to play until there is some confirmation otherwise.

 

[BruinVol]

This exotic offense excuse is tiresome.

Shifts effected you, guess what you're going to see from better coached football teams...

Teams run on us at will, no matter the scheme they use. this has been a problem for two years. Time to fix it

Yep. It's just excuses

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

With all respect, but sorry that is garbage. So a min of 5-8 guys are involved in a criminal investigation dealing with CC's and everything magically gets wrapped up and cleared in 2-3 weeks? Shady AF. At most schools, these kids would be off the team, much less only a two game suspension. This isn't weed. This is committing fraud on the University where you are enrolled and receiving benefits from...

He nor ITG knows anything. Same site was claiming "nothing to see here" when rumor first cracked.

 

[LA Vol]

The UF-LSU debacle embarrassed the SEC last year, so the conference made contingency plans for rescheduling SEC games. If UF can't host and the game can't be played in an alternate venue in ATL or Birmingham, then Sankey can make the call to play on Saturday in Neyland. UT has expressed a preference not to play the game in Neyland because we would have to play both UF and UGA OTR next year. The SEC will make an effort to accommodate the preferences of both teams, but they'll make the call and we'll go where they tell us.

 

[drvenner]

Kahlil McKenzie was interviewed after the Indiana State game and was asked about the defensive performance on Monday night. His response, "Unconventional offense, triple option, you know, whatever you want to say, we didn't do our job."

The first step in finding a solution is identifying the problem. With all the excuses the staff has been laying out there some have wondered if they really believe that nonsense. I understand controlling the narrative but I'd like to have some hint that we have a handle at least on identifying the problem. I think we probably do.

Granted we accomplished the most important task, win the game, but in the process were exposed as an incredibly talented team that is potentially catastrophically weak on defense IF you have the ability to throw our staff a curve.

I'm glad at least one of our players and I'd guess quite a few of our players know we've demonstrated some issues defensively. Regardless of the desired narrative, I think it's more likely than not that our staff is also acutely aware of the problems, but since they're in the Public Relations game, they're trying to spin a different narrative for the media and the fans. OR Kahlil doesn't know what he's talking about.

I'm sort of wondering if against all odds Florida comes out passing against us and throws for 500+ yards and a bushel, I mean trash can, full of TDs if the staff will say afterwards, "We didn't expect them to be passing the ball as much as they did." Seriously, Florida could pull the old Tackle-eligible play and go to it time and time again, just beat us into the dirt with it, and I'd expect the staff to say, well, they did something exotic.

Just once, I'd like to hear a questioner tell the staff that in the 121 years of Tennessee football we've face option offenses many many times, some arguably much better than GT, but Monday night we gave up more yards under this staff than ever before in the history of the universe, like over 15 billion years. Whatever else you want to say, and there are some good things that can be said, it doesn't change the fact that the rushing defensive performance on Monday night was the WORST in at least the entire history of the school. It's not a pretty narrative.

Listen, I was sitting in Neyland Stadium watching Tennessee play football before Butch Jones was even alive. I'm not a complete idiot (jmo). Tennessee football is not about excuses; that's Butch Jones football. True to form, we faced another exotic offense yesterday which is why I’m still smdh.

On a side note, I think the fumble and interception by QD today was a good thing. A new QB needs to find out PDQ that if you get lax you will pay the price. On this me and Butch would likely agree, those were good teaching moments and TBH, they came at the best time. Hopefully we'll learn something from those moments before heading into our SEC slate of games.

We're 2-0 and I fully expect we'll be 3-0 if we play Florida on Saturday - unless and maybe even if they pull the tackle eligible BS or some other such shenanigans. #GBO

One other thing, I think JG is going to be just fine. If you gave him a full half to get settled in – say like against a GT type team and under a significant amount of real pressure, I think he’d probably grow up real fast. I’m okay with QD but given the opportunity I think JG could be just as good and likely much better. JG needs some experience. jmo.

I agree with the idea to move Kongbo inside or move him to the bench. Phillips needs to start opposite Taylor.

I honestly think that the players and fans all would appreciate it so much more if they would take a little more accountability. Don't spin it so much. Say that you had a tough time setting the edge, but you are going to work to fix it. That is all that anyone should expect from a post-game analysis. Good post, by the way.

 

[drvenner]

I ran and transcribed the entire Khalil interview so I can answer any questions anyone has on it.

Did it seem like he was satisfied with the defensive performance? Did he hold himself and his teammates accountable for some of the breakdowns?

 

[SpringBokVol]

I don't think this game can be rescheduled. It has to be played because bye weeks and non conference opponents don't line up.

The question will be where.

I don't think Benz is an option.

They have a United game that Saturday and Falcons Sunday.

 

[BaldBiker]

42-27=17. USMC cipherin?

Yeah.....I realized my cipherin was off on that one. Was just too lazy to fix it.

 

[drvenner]

I think there's a weird obsession with JG with a ton of fans. They have never seen him play a snap (until yesterday) never seen him practice but they just assume he's better than QD. I guess bc he has an arm sleeve and looks "cool" is the only thing I can think of.

I think that part of it is that Butch's offense has looked better with a dual threat at QB. Dobbs made the offense look pretty good, much better than Worley or Peterman did. Of course, there are many other factors, but I think that is part of the perception. That, and BB just won't let it go.

 

[jordan4vols]

We have two other QBs coming in, if he leaves he leaves. Just so many vol fans have all their eggs in his basket for no reason. I've said all along he has little to no touch on the all and he isn't as fast as everyone was hoping.

Qd reminds me of Ainge a lot. I think he's really patient with his progressions and is sometimes taking the easy route instead of testing a 1on1 situation but I think that Is what we need. Ball control will help our defense a lot.

If he dies he dies (cues rocky 4 music)

 

[Billy Antrim]

I am at a 3.

Shoop will be fine.

He hasn't even dialed up a blitz yet.

He did just enough to get through two crazy offenses. This schedule was nuts.

He is going to be ready for UF.

Yep, 3 now.

 

[buckfama]

It would be funny if y'all's old ladies critiqued your lovemaking as quickly and hard as some do the play of the team.

Bet there would be a lot of hurt feelings..

 

[drvenner]

Yeah.....I realized my cipherin was off on that one. Was just too lazy to fix it.

You could have given him this response:

Here's two more :the_finger:

 

[drvenner]

It would be funny if y'all's old ladies critiqued your lovemaking as quickly and hard as some do the play of the team.

Bet there would be a lot of hurt feelings..

Whose lovemaking is quick and hard?


Please delete if too over the top.

 

[utvolmaniac]

42-27=17. USMC cipherin?

 

[LA Vol]

He has the power to make two teams move the sight and play a game, but I'm not sure if that extends to forcing a third team to let those two use their stadium.

The SEC compiled a list of alternate venues for SEC games, but these venues may not be available on Saturday. There's a soccer game scheduled for 4 PM in MB Stadium in ATL and we're scheduled for the CBS 3:30 kick. IDT Sankey will expend a lot of effort calling around and stadium searching-- they implemented the new policy to avoid this. If one of the other alternate venues isn't available, we'll probably have a 3:30 kick in Neyland, if playing in Gainesville isn't possible.

 

[BruinVol]

Kongbo got upfield quick and made some of our biggest hits during the game. I'm talking some soul crushing hits.

I don't really understand the whole "slow" thing. He didn't get in on the million jet sweeps that got ran on us, but that was partially because of misdirection keeping him inside and partially because you look for your LBs to take care of it anyways.

Yea if only he could be 3 yards off sides he could lay the lumber. His big hit was on a penalty and a screen pass. Nothing at all to get excited about

 

[TechnoVol]

The SEC compiled a list of alternate venues for SEC games, but these venues may not be available on Saturday. There's a soccer game scheduled for 4 PM in MB Stadium in ATL and we're scheduled for the CBS 3:30 kick. IDT Sankey will expend a lot of effort calling around and stadium searching-- they implemented the new policy to avoid this. If one of the other alternate venues isn't available, we'll probably have a 3:30 kick in Neyland, if playing in Gainesville isn't possible.

Would rather not play in Neyland... would mean two trips to Gainesville in a row and back-to-back road games with Florida and Georgia next year.