Are we any better?

#176
#176
KingGenius said:
We started off going into half ok. Then wasn't happy with the D line, the D backs, safeties, and where were our linebackers?
O-line didn't do too bad, but I expected better.
I also wanted to see Jennings and Marquez hit more especially later in the game being down so much. Too much running after they had ran away with the score. Too conservative imo.
But yes we are better than last year. First game, those jitters were bad. We got two cupcakes to get into shape before FL.
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I was really annoyed with the way we looked right off the bat, but it was clear we were playing super tight and unsettled from the start. We weren't prepared, but it's forgivable. Pretty much overhauled almost every facet of their team and to expect a smooth transition was probably a bit unrealistic . At least I can say I was unrealistic in what I was hoping to see.
 
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#177
#177
VN is about what I expected tonight, though I hoped for better from everyone. After everything we’ve been through the past 10+ years culminating with our worst season ever last year, many are still expecting to go out against a top 20 team and compete like last year can be remedied in one game.

Several are talking about the players needing a culture change. The fans need a culture change too. It’s ok to want to win all the time, and I sure as hell want to win as much as anyone. But the more we lose our **** because of absurd expectations, the less recruits are going to want to come and be a part of the turnaround. Like it or not, we have a part to play in stopping the cycle of losing we have been in, and that part is to try and see some positives, and give them some damn time to turn it around.
 
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#178
#178
The defense is what worries me most, but we did have 3 freshman playing in the backfield, not a good combination to play against a pretty good experienced quarterback. I think the offense improved throughout the game, and JG looked better than last year. We will have to wait to know if it was because of real improvement or the competition today.

And yes, the weather delay was huge. Should not be an excuse, but was awful for this young team and helped to squash the momentum building from the second quarter.
 
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#179
#179
Johnnyreb#VFL said:
I was not expecting 40-14. I don’t think many of us were. Saw some flashes, but overall nowhere near ready to play with big boys.
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Unfortunately I was expecting something like this debacle. I hate to say it, but I was. I have kept off of here because I knew my view differed greatly from most on here predicting victory. I fully expected Grier to kill us. I will also say that I think we can still win 6 games and go bowling with a little luck. This won’t be a popular view, but I am trying to be realistic about the season. GBO
 
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#180
#180
SaintLouisVol said:
Yes, but what about the “talent” we’re alleged to have recruited? This staff has had 40 something practices to influence these players and there was essentially no change. All of the frustrations associated with poor fundamentals are still there.
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For the players, this year is tye first year of getting really coached. Thats going to take more than 40 practices. WV is a good team. Grier is legit and so are his WRs. Only some fools here on VN would disagree. This talent we have has not been developed nor properly coached. The players Pruitt were left still have the stank of Botch on them. Also, Pruitt wants different types of players. He hasnt gotten them yet. If you think everything can be fixed in a year, well then good luck. But i dont think so of you realize how bad this team truly is.
 
#182
#182
VOLnMiami said:
No UT is not better...Same team same results...We are in for a horrible year...Can't tackle at all and anyone who passes the ball with just a tiny bit of accuracy will beat us...Only bright spots are Jordan and JG who I wish they would let him throw the damn ball downfield once and a while instead of bubble screens all the time....Very depressing watching this team....This just isn't Tennessee football
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Yes, unfortunately it is. What people consider to be "Tennessee Football" only existed because of superior talent and a conference and division that lacked depth. Tennessee has underachieved since the 90s. Look at all the talent they had in the 90s and even early 2000s and they only managed to win 2 conference titles and only play for 1 national championship. We got extremely lucky in 98 with that missed field goal and stumble and fumble. This IS what Tennessee football is and it's time we accept that. Either that or get the university to fork out the big bucks for a real coach. Not some coordinator that bounced through 3 schools in 4 years with elite talent/recruiting base that everyone assumes will be good because he had success with teams that were full of future NFL stars when he arrived on campus
 
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#183
#183
MikeVol44 said:
Wrong......and I feel sad for you and the others on here who cannot recognize progress because all you will allow for is perfection. The OP of this thread obviously lives for instant gratification. And the title of this thread proves my point without doubt.

Coaches live in the real world and coach and teach for progress...not perfection. Our team did make PROGRESS today...and our team ATTITUDE is not even CLOSE to what we displayed last year.

Our offense started slow but ran the ball with some physicality and aggression. Our OC didn't call a perfect game, but adjusted and adapted--for the most part--to what would work and what was working. Our OL got better as the game progressed....JG actually played a very good game....not one INT...not one turnover...

Defensively--our guys only had 1 busted coverage--and it was #28 on the play when he left his zone and left the RB wide open to catch the ball and score an easy TD.

We all knew that our secondary was suspect....everyone knew that #22 is not a SEC caliber Safety.
Most of you just REFUSE to accept that our LBs are not very good....WVU specifically targeted and attacked our LBs and Safeties....
Our FR DBs knew their assignments and were running with their receivers for the most part.....Grier put the ball perfectly in the windows today....and there just wasn't anything anyone could do to stop him.

Grier played his butt off....he only missed 2 or 3 open receivers from what I can remember....WVU had several drops that hit them in the perfect spot.
That offense is as good as any offense we will face all year in the passing game. Nobody we play will throw the ball as well as WVU did today.

7-5 is very attainable this year....and I will be ecstatic if we finish 8-4.

GO VOLS!

Oh....and I forgot....flame away in your drunken stupors.
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Agree with you up until “7-5 is very attainable this year....and I will be ecstatic if we finish 8-4.”
Don’t believe we have enough talent on D overall, and the young fr with lots of potential won’t get us there this year. 6-6 would be very good, 5-7 more realistic IMO.
Whatever the record ends up at this year, even if it’s 4-8 we would be in a greater position to make some real strides and expect 8-4 or better the next year with an experienced QB and maturity from this years promising FR.
 
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#185
#185
14 new players yesterday, three freshman starting in the defensive back. I expect to see improvements over the next two games, yeah . yeah I know it's easily winnable games. This team will be much better as the season unfolds.
You guys need to calm down, we started three freshman defensive backs against a very good and experienced passing attack. What did you think was going to happen?
 
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#186
#186
The majority of This team is still made up of Butch Jones players which is why I felt like I was watching a game from last year. Other than a few coaching moves, like going for a TD on fourth and goal at the one, it was dejavu. No team speed, cornerbacks and safeties out of position ( yes I know a couple of corners were freshmen), O line getting manhandled , especially in the first Quarter and the tone setter the first play of the game ( there's a reason Kennedy didn't play at Bama), weak on the D- line. At least there were a couple of bright spots, Tim Jordan runs hard and is an SEC caliber RB, receivers didn't drop passes, Guarantano looked better but still needs to stop targeting in on one receiver and go through his progressions. Was WVU a good team? Yes, offensively probably the best we will play all season, however, they were more physical than us on both sides of the ball and we'll face a lot better defense in 2 weeks vs. FL. My expectations are anything more than 5 wins this season will be progress. Pruitt is going to have to get his own players in here before we really start to notice any major improvement.
 
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#187
#187
ALLVOL24/7/365 said:
Unfortunately I was expecting something like this debacle. I hate to say it, but I was. I have kept off of here because I knew my view differed greatly from most on here predicting victory. I fully expected Grier to kill us. I will also say that I think we can still win 6 games and go bowling with a little luck. This won’t be a popular view, but I am trying to be realistic about the season. GBO
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6 wins withour Swiss cheese defense will be quite an accomplishment . Not sure where our 6 wins will come from. Only 3 certain wins based on what I saw yesterday.
 
#188
#188
MBVFL1 said:
He's a defensive genius not a miracle worker, some on here expect him to turn EVERYTHING around in year 1, yeah I thought the d would play alittle better but we have to accept that these players just don't have the fight and are a bit lazy. Secondary is garbage, Taylor and Thompson have an excuse it was their first game, but Abernathy gets beat every play. Warrior missed a ton of tackles and was out of position ALOT. Linebackers are slow and have a hard time covering anybody and also can't put pressure on the QB. So what exactly can Pruitt do with that
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Abernathy gets beat more than any DB I have ever see. Not sure how that guy gets on the field. Surely we have better safeties on the bench?
 
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#189
#189
KBVol said:
Doesn’t take a full season to assess what we saw today. 2018 is gonna be bad, really bad. There’s not an SEC win on our schedule imo.
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I’m not ready to draw conclusions yet. Yes, the team isn’t very good at the line of scrimmage but the passing game has improved from last season. The running game showed flashes of brilliance. They just need much more consistency. However, my biggest concern or fear going into the season was their ability to rush the passer and it’s still my biggest concern. They have 2 tune up games before they get a shot at redemption against Florida. Hopefully, they can work some kinks.
 
#190
#190
If you have to ask the question, are we any better, you most likely already know the answer
 
#191
#191
Defensively we still suck. Offensively we can be better than last year if they get away from running up the middle. Once they started running wide and throwing the ball the offense was moving fine. I suggest they screen more early in the game to try and slow the opposing teams D-line down. Oh and here is an idea, throw the damn ball to Jennings. He is your top receiver.
 
#192
#192
I’m not sure we can make that determination after just 1 game. And that game being against a pretty good football team.

If any fans were surprised, it’s their own fault. It’s their own fault because they have unrealistic expectations of a 4-8 team with a new system to learn.
 
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#193
#193
chattavol420 said:
It looked like last year in every way. Even the coaching. Why not take advantage of the one thing we felt good about going into the game? Our WRs! Why not let jg throw the ball down the damn field?
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Exactly, and this is where a 1st time OC hire makes zero sense. Helton is gonna learn real quickly that horizontal passes aren't going to help a team without a dominant run game. It is a wasted down.

Where was the TE we heard so much about? 1 catch.
Why didn't they exploit the Callaway matchup more?
Why didn't Jennings get more targets?

3rd and 4 and you run the damn ball when you have to score on that possession?

I blame the blowout on Helton.
 
#194
#194
Vol Kilmer said:
Exactly, and this is where a 1st time OC hire makes zero sense. Helton is gonna learn real quickly that horizontal passes aren't going to help a team without a dominant run game. It is a wasted down.

Where was the TE we heard so much about? 1 catch.
Why didn't they exploit the Callaway matchup more?
Why didn't Jennings get more targets?

3rd and 4 and you run the damn ball when you have to score on that possession?

I blame the blowout on Helton.
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Well, blaming it on one person is just ridiculous. This loss was a team effort. The offense didn't score enough, for sure, but the defense gave up too many points.
 
#196
#196
99gator said:
Coverage (and I know this will make folks chuckle) wasn't that bad. Some really good throws.

What was really, really bad was the lack of pass rush. And Tennessee sure as heck tried. I saw standard 4 man rush. I saw stunts. I saw LB blitzes. I saw CB blitzes. I saw safety blitzes.

That was the big problem.

IMO
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That, and when they did get in the backfield, they couldn’t chase down Grier and make the tackle.
 
#197
#197
BigOrangeTrain said:
For the players, this year is tye first year of getting really coached. Thats going to take more than 40 practices. WV is a good team. Grier is legit and so are his WRs. Only some fools here on VN would disagree. This talent we have has not been developed nor properly coached. The players Pruitt were left still have the stank of Botch on them. Also, Pruitt wants different types of players. He hasnt gotten them yet. If you think everything can be fixed in a year, well then good luck. But i dont think so of you realize how bad this team truly is.
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Exactly
 
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#199
#199
We are a slow team. It’s as simple as that. We need speed in almost every position to compete and to win. GBO!
 
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