Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

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One thing too about the DL and experience is that our schedule sets up nicely to get some before we hit the teeth of the SEC schedule. Seems valuable to have GA state and a tougher test in BYU, and then Chatt. before FL. More experience would be better of course, but that is a good setup in my eyes.

My biggest issue with last yr and what we better see this yr is a bigger rotation. They did themselves and team a disservice not throwing some of these guys in the rotation more. It killed us at the end. Need to rotate and keep guys fresh and get them game reps.
 
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I understand they have some experience/years in the system now, but is there any reason to believe Bituli and Ignont will be more than just average? I can’t recall any of them flashing in any game

Bituli led the team in tackles last year. I thought he was already better than average. Ignont can improve.

Edit: Bituli also led the team in tackles in 2017 as well.
 
Question: if you grant me that the offensive line was bad last year, and the defensive line was average at best, what would your record prediction be if both of those squads are “average” this year?

Because while I’m sure they will be better - I’m not ready to say they’ll be good.
 
I understand they have some experience/years in the system now, but is there any reason to believe Bituli and Ignont will be more than just average? I can’t recall any of them flashing in any game
Bituli, when allowed to simply run towards the ball and wreck, has always been a beast imo. Last season having to think too much lowered him an octave. We were getting too shredded as a total defense to note his flashes, but he was generally first or second to the ballcarrier...they just didn’t go backwards as much as previously in his playing career. A year in the system with the coaches noting his strengths should resume that course. Ignont was never suited for middle linebacker in the 4-2-5...those types need better sideline to sideline speed. I think he can be average or even better...especially with a better rotation.
 
I can understand the GoVols 24/7 site being #10 in clicks, but surprised it would be that high in subscribers. If that many TN fans can stomach Wes Rucker, then TN has a pretty amazing fanbase.
just add it to the list of things we "stomach" lol.
 
Question: if you grant me that the offensive line was bad last year, and the defensive line was average at best, what would your record prediction be if both of those squads are “average” this year?

Because while I’m sure they will be better - I’m not ready to say they’ll be good.

Boy, much can go into this. We play BYU instead of WV, and we probably should have beaten USCe. Our secondary will be much better.

Plus, with Chaney now as OC, he can scheme a bit differently to help the OL. Still looking at 7+ wins.
 
Question: if you grant me that the offensive line was bad last year, and the defensive line was average at best, what would your record prediction be if both of those squads are “average” this year?

Because while I’m sure they will be better - I’m not ready to say they’ll be good.
7-5
 
Yep and Gooden will be back as well. Just think of that defense with all that experience on the DL, Taylor, Thompson, Flowers are juniors, Burrell and Tank are sophomores, and Henry To, Crouch, and Harrison are sophomores with experience. That’s going to be an elite top 20 at worst defense imo. And what if JG comes back for his senior year and you land a guy like Jarrett at receiver to go with Keyton and Palmer if he returns? Our team could make some noise next year boys.

I expect Gooden to be that Shy Tuttle type guy that stats line shows squat. But, who's teammates love him. The type who when video turns on eats up blocks, and has a helluva NFL career. Kyle Phillips type.
 
I know this has been posted but not counting Darrell Taylor, we only have 18 total tackles registered by players on the DL that are coming back this year. That is pretty crazy.
 
My biggest issue with last yr and what we better see this yr is a bigger rotation. They did themselves and team a disservice not throwing some of these guys in the rotation more. It killed us at the end. Need to rotate and keep guys fresh and get them game reps.

Agree 100%. That was a mistake by the staff. They need all these dudes in a rotation to make it through so we are not worn out at the end.
 
My biggest issue with last yr and what we better see this yr is a bigger rotation. They did themselves and team a disservice not throwing some of these guys in the rotation more. It killed us at the end. Need to rotate and keep guys fresh and get them game reps.
They were rotating guys and adding folks to the rotation. It’s just the same old, same old: Mincey got hurt, Flowers got hurt, Trey, etc. JJP was in neverland.

Getting more of Pruitt’s guys in will help the process.
 
Question: if you grant me that the offensive line was bad last year, and the defensive line was average at best, what would your record prediction be if both of those squads are “average” this year?

Because while I’m sure they will be better - I’m not ready to say they’ll be good.
I think if Trey plays and they all stay healthy then by mid season they’ll be a good offensive line. Wanya and Wright will only get better with time.
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I agree Bass. Good post. It's not a depth issue, it's experience we're lacking. We have plenty of DL on the team, they just need to practice, get better, and go play.
Seems like it’s more about quality of depth than bodies. We had plenty of bodies last year, too. Just not enough bodies capable of consistently playing at an SEC level over the course of 12 games.

We currently have some reason for optimism, but no real reason to expect a high level of play there.
 
Boy, much can go into this. We play BYU instead of WV, and we probably should have beaten USCe. Our secondary will be much better.

Plus, with Chaney now as OC, he can scheme a bit differently to help the OL. Still looking at 7+ wins.
I am bouncing between 6 and 7 wins - leaning more towards 7 at the moment.

Your point about replacing WVU with BYU is valid. However, that game still scares me. I think it’ll be close - and maybe being at home gets us through it.

Mississippi State is the swing game to me. We have more talent - and get them at home. There’s a pretty good chance they’ll be 4-1 and ranked in the top 20 for that game. Win that one and I think it might springboard us to 8-4 or 9-3. Lose and you’re looking at three straight tough losses and South Carolina might be able to capitalize on the downward trajectory.
 
Question: if you grant me that the offensive line was bad last year, and the defensive line was average at best, what would your record prediction be if both of those squads are “average” this year?

Because while I’m sure they will be better - I’m not ready to say they’ll be good.
good question.

cause i'd say that the really, really bad OL play was a key factor in how the WVU and FL games played out.

and the bad DL play was a factor in how the MO and Vandy games played out.

what i can't tell you is that if either performance is "average", that it changes the result, especially in the 1st two. it may just not have been near as bad as they looked at the end.

i think if you could get middle of the road performance (conference wise) from both units, it's worth 2 games this year....especially with the schedule being a little lighter. and who knows what happens if you find yourself in a game against UGA or UF that you have a chance to win late?
 
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