Recruiting Forum Football Talk LVII

[Ulysees E. McGill]

If we only win 5, I won’t be happy.

You better stock up on comfort food then.

 

[SSVol]

Yes, our record was 4-8, but that wasn't a 4 win team, it was a 4 win staff. If people choose not to see that, then they are willfully wallowing in misery and despair. BVS is real, but some choose it.

 

[BigOrange15]

I think 6 wins and a bowl win should be the goal and expectation. The big jump for a new coach comes in the second year.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Yes, our record was 4-8, but that wasn't a 4 win team, it was a 4 win staff. If people choose not to see that, then they are willfully wallowing in misery and despair. BVS is real, but some choose it.

See..I want to believe that so bad, but then I get visions of Vandy and Kentucky running over, through and around listless empty orange uniforms.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

I think 6 wins and a bowl win should be the goal and expectation. The big jump for a new coach comes in the second year.

If injuries are kept at a minimum and a few breaks go out way 6-8 wins are doable...I agree with that. If we win eight this year, then Pruitt is definitely the right guy.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

If we lose eight again I'm gonna lose it. I don't think four wins is acceptable or should be expected at all. I have said that many times.

Really?

4-8

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Just going through the positions you listed and giving my thoughts now that I’ve got more time for it.

I think we are good, but not very good or great at WR, but I do think we could become very good, and maybe even borderline great with the talent there and good coaching, which it seems we are getting.

Pretty much agreed here. I think we have a number of WRs who can do some good things, but we don’t really have anybody who’s the full package. It will be interesting to see how the depth chart and share of snaps shake out (especially if Jennings works his way back for good) since Helton supposedly wants to use more multiple TE sets.

I think we are good at RB, but very shallow depth is going to be a concern.

I actually like what we have at RB pretty well. Chandler is a head above the rest, but I think we have a nice mix of guys with some varying skillsets who could be the strength of the team if the OL were competent. Jordan flashed last year, the grad transfer we’re getting runs hard, Banks has promise. I’ve never been high on Coleman, but he’s gotten a bit of buzz at times this spring. Same with Fant. I’m not really going to count on those last two for much until we’ve actually seen what they can do, but we should be fine at RB in 2018.

I think are meh at TE, with zero depth.

I’m not thrilled with our TEs, but not ready to write them off completely like this. TE is more of an unknown than anything. We’re not even sure exactly what our staff wants to do with TEs yet.
We haven’t seen what Bumphus or Brown can do at TE yet. We’re bringing in a JUCO TE who appears to be a stud. Pope is still young and has some promise (didn’t look very good blocking last year, though).

I think we are good at LB, but once again very shallow.

I like our talent and depth at ILB. Both of the guys we have running with the first team right now should be depth guys in the fall, and they’re not bad LBs by any means. A two deep of Kirkland/Bituli/Ignont/Sapp isn’t bad at all.

I’m not so bullish on our OLBs. I think we’ll see Taylor thrive in the new system, but who knows what else we’ll get there. Allen has potential, but he’s raw. Ideally I think he’d be a rotational guy we throw in to get after the QB in pass rush situations, but we may have to lean on him more. Smith played good football in 2015 and has been out of shape and/or injured ever since. I’m not sure Thaxton or Deandre Johnson fit what the coaches want at OLB that well.

Depending on where they play Peterson and whether he’s ready to contribute or not, I wouldn’t be surprised if they move Bituli outside a bit on early downs at times.

I think we are great at one Safety spot and blech to meh at the other, and once again..zero depth.

I disagree here. Abernathy and Kelly have both been solid at different points in their careers. I don’t think either of those guys will be superstars or anything, but they’re also not nearly as bad last year made them look. We should have 3 solid guys at safety, at least. Additionally, Theo Jackson has all the tools to be an SEC safety as a backup. Labruzza has potential. Pruitt brought in like 3 safeties in the last class.
More than anything, though, I think we’re in good hands with Pruitt and Kelly working with that group. They’ll get decent to good play out of the safeties, IMO.

I think we are blech at CB till proven otherwise...excluding Shamburger, I think he will be good...and no depth.

Pretty much agree here. I like Shamburger, but I’m not really buying the Buchanon hype until we see the results on the field. CB is the 2nd scariest position on the team.

I think we are meh right now along DL, with a chance to become really good as coaching and takes hold.

I’m torn on the DL. There’s a lot of potential there if they take to the coaching. But so far all of these guys have done little more than flash that potential. I do think if Tuttle stays healthy, he can be really good. But history doesn’t paint that as very likely. Gotta hope that this being Kongbo’s last chance to impress lights a fire in him. Phillips actually wasn’t bad last year, but the unit as a whole was such a mess that his performances were easy to overlook. Depth is a little scary, though. I think we probably have about 5-6 guys we can get SEC level play out of. Most of the depth still needs to be developed. Guys like Butler, Crosby, and Bennet are basically total unknowns.

I think the OL is the worst position on the team till it's proven otherwise and without Smith it is a total disaster. I hope and believe they can get better with better coaching, but it is hard not to improve on the completely horrid play we got last season.

I think the OL will improve and look a lot better…in 2019. That’s mostly because of Will Friend, though. He’s got a great track record of building up OLs and most of our OL is still young and inexperienced enough to take to his coaching (not that that’s necessarily a good thing in the short term, I guess).

Nobody is in denial about the fact that the OL will be the most glaring weakness on this team. If we get back the 3 guys who are currently missing or limited (Hall, Smith, and Calbert), then we might be able to scrape together an OL that isn’t bad. But that’s not likely. You’re right that we will have injuries at OL. Most teams do every year. The question is whether we’ll lose guys for the whole season or for a game or two here and there.

My hope for our OL this year is basically this: we stay mostly healthy and play disciplined football. As bad as our units were in 2016 and 2017, they made things a lot harder on themselves at times by getting dumb penalties and putting the offense in obvious passing situations. If they can play disciplined football, the coaches should be able to find ways to move the ball without us being dominant up front.

And finally nobody can accuse me of criticizing JG at QB. I have defended him. I don't see how he could have performed much better with the garbage OL and WR play he had to work with, plus the crap playcalling and coaching he received. He has potential to be a great QB still I think.

I like JG’s upside as well. He has all the physical tools and I think he plays with passion, which can be a good thing to have in a QB. We’ve just got to see if he can get the mental part down.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Really?

I really don't remember saying that. Well..that was stupid.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Really?

Seriously...how long ago was that? My search on my phone only goes back 100 posts.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Just going through the positions you listed and giving my thoughts now that I’ve got more time for it.


Pretty much agreed here. I think we have a number of WRs who can do some good things, but we don’t really have anybody who’s the full package. It will be interesting to see how the depth chart and share of snaps shake out (especially if Jennings works his way back for good) since Helton supposedly wants to use more multiple TE sets.


I actually like what we have at RB pretty well. Chandler is a head above the rest, but I think we have a nice mix of guys with some varying skillsets who could be the strength of the team if the OL were competent. Jordan flashed last year, the grad transfer we’re getting runs hard, Banks has promise. I’ve never been high on Coleman, but he’s gotten a bit of buzz at times this spring. Same with Fant. I’m not really going to count on those last two for much until we’ve actually seen what they can do, but we should be fine at RB in 2018.


I’m not thrilled with our TEs, but not ready to write them off completely like this. TE is more of an unknown than anything. We’re not even sure exactly what our staff wants to do with TEs yet.
We haven’t seen what Bumphus or Brown can do at TE yet. We’re bringing in a JUCO TE who appears to be a stud. Pope is still young and has some promise (didn’t look very good blocking last year, though).

I like our talent and depth at ILB. Both of the guys we have running with the first team right now should be depth guys in the fall, and they’re not bad LBs by any means. A two deep of Kirkland/Bituli/Ignont/Sapp isn’t bad at all.

I’m not so bullish on our OLBs. I think we’ll see Taylor thrive in the new system, but who knows what else we’ll get there. Allen has potential, but he’s raw. Ideally I think he’d be a rotational guy we throw in to get after the QB in pass rush situations, but we may have to lean on him more. Smith played good football in 2015 and has been out of shape and/or injured ever since. I’m not sure Thaxton or Deandre Johnson fit what the coaches want at OLB that well.

Depending on where they play Peterson and whether he’s ready to contribute or not, I wouldn’t be surprised if they move Bituli outside a bit on early downs at times.


I disagree here. Abernathy and Kelly have both been solid at different points in their careers. I don’t think either of those guys will be superstars or anything, but they’re also not nearly as bad last year made them look. We should have 3 solid guys at safety, at least. Additionally, Theo Jackson has all the tools to be an SEC safety as a backup. Labruzza has potential. Pruitt brought in like 3 safeties in the last class.
More than anything, though, I think we’re in good hands with Pruitt and Kelly working with that group. They’ll get decent to good play out of the safeties, IMO.


Pretty much agree here. I like Shamburger, but I’m not really buying the Buchanon hype until we see the results on the field. CB is the 2nd scariest position on the team.

I’m torn on the DL. There’s a lot of potential there if they take to the coaching. But so far all of these guys have done little more than flash that potential. I do think if Tuttle stays healthy, he can be really good. But history doesn’t paint that as very likely. Gotta hope that this being Kongbo’s last chance to impress lights a fire in him. Phillips actually wasn’t bad last year, but the unit as a whole was such a mess that his performances were easy to overlook. Depth is a little scary, though. I think we probably have about 5-6 guys we can get SEC level play out of. Most of the depth still needs to be developed. Guys like Butler, Crosby, and Bennet are basically total unknowns.



I think the OL will improve and look a lot better…in 2019. That’s mostly because of Will Friend, though. He’s got a great track record of building up OLs and most of our OL is still young and inexperienced enough to take to his coaching (not that that’s necessarily a good thing in the short term, I guess).

Nobody is in denial about the fact that the OL will be the most glaring weakness on this team. If we get back the 3 guys who are currently missing or limited (Hall, Smith, and Calbert), then we might be able to scrape together an OL that isn’t bad. But that’s not likely. You’re right that we will have injuries at OL. Most teams do every year. The question is whether we’ll lose guys for the whole season or for a game or two here and there.

My hope for our OL this year is basically this: we stay mostly healthy and play disciplined football. As bad as our units were in 2016 and 2017, they made things a lot harder on themselves at times by getting dumb penalties and putting the offense in obvious passing situations. If they can play disciplined football, the coaches should be able to find ways to move the ball without us being dominant up front.


I like JG’s upside as well. He has all the physical tools and I think he plays with passion, which can be a good thing to have in a QB. We’ve just got to see if he can get the mental part down.

You almost make me feel better about our chances this year.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Seriously...how long ago was that? My search on my phone only goes back 100 posts.

Like 10 days ago?

I’m set to the max number of posts per page and it’s on page 48 of this thread for me.

You almost make me feel better about our chances this year.

I just don’t think this roster is so bad that even a good coach shouldn’t get 6 wins. We’re bad at two positions, basically. We have potential at most.

I just keep thinking back to 2013 and how much worse our 2 deep was on paper than it will be this year, how much tougher our schedule was than it will be this year, and how that team was 2 Pig Howard mistakes from being 7-5 despite it all.


If Pruitt is a good coach, he won’t fail to make a bowl game. If he can’t make one this year, we’ll know he’s not cut out to be a HC yet.

 

[drvenner]

I'm guessing VQ mods might have a source or three who did watch the scrimmage?

Serious question. Do you think one of the coaches, interns or support staff is feeding them information?

 

[drvenner]

Well, he does like to fart.

Who doesn't?

 

[drvenner]

If we only win 5, I won’t be happy.

I think this is where I am. I am trying to temper my expectations. I have to think that this staff can win more than one more than Butch's team, though.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Can’t continue to blame Butch for Byrd. Talent finds a way, and there is nothing but opportunity to be seized

 

[The Dog]

Like 10 days ago?

I’m set to the max number of posts per page and it’s on page 48 of this thread for me.



I just don’t think this roster is so bad that even a good coach shouldn’t get 6 wins. We’re bad at two positions, basically. We have potential at most.

I just keep thinking back to 2013 and how much worse our 2 deep was on paper than it will be this year, how much tougher our schedule was than it will be this year, and how that team was 2 Pig Howard mistakes from being 7-5 despite it all.


If Pruitt is a good coach, he won’t fail to make a bowl game. If he can’t make one this year, we’ll know he’s not cut out to be a HC yet.

The Georgia game wasn't a mistake by Pig, just bad luck. Pig gave his all for Tennessee on that play and day, the ball just slipped out of his hand about an inch or 2 from a TD.

 

[WinginFlorida]

Can’t continue to blame Butch for Byrd. Talent finds a way, and there is nothing but opportunity to be seized

Have to disagree to an extent.

We all know that opportunity is nowhere.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

The Georgia game wasn't a mistake by Pig, just bad luck. Pig gave his all for Tennessee on that play and day, the ball just slipped out of his hand about an inch or 2 from a TD.

I agree with the sentiment and was one of the guys defending him after that game.

But a fumble is a mistake.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Yes, our record was 4-8, but that wasn't a 4 win team, it was a 4 win staff. If people choose not to see that, then they are willfully wallowing in misery and despair. BVS is real, but some choose it.

Exactly. The talent is there for Pruitt to win 7+ this fall.

 

[Sleegro]

Have to disagree to an extent.

We all know that opportunity is nowhere.

That's true. I blame Dooley for Byrd's lack of success.

 

[WinginFlorida]

Yes, our record was 4-8, but that wasn't a 4 win team, it was a 4 win staff. If people choose not to see that, then they are willfully wallowing in misery and despair. BVS is real, but some choose it.

If people think this team can only win 5, the concept of "good coaching is vitally important and necessary" will be set back 100 years.

 

[butchna]

If people think this team can only win 5, the concept of "good coaching is vitally important and necessary" will be set back 100 years.

They win 7 and a bowl game and the ready made response is “so what?”

 

[nicksjuzunk]

If people think this team can only win 5, the concept of "good coaching is vitally important and necessary" will be set back 100 years.

It’s been years since we’ve seen good coaching at Tennessee. Honestly... we’ve forgotten what it looks like... save Shoop during maybe the first 5 games he was here

 

[WinginFlorida]

They win 7 and a bowl game and the ready made response is “so what?”

Well, I won't begin to argue with you on this point.

 

[WinginFlorida]

It’s been years since we’ve seen good coaching at Tennessee. Honestly... we’ve forgotten what it looks like... save Shoop during maybe the first 5 games he was here

It really has been a long time...amazingly long.