Recruiting Forum Football Talk II

[zhangliao04]

McCollough needs to be playing instead of warrior

I think Warrior has been the one lining everyone up on Def with Bituli out.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

You're already starting a coaching search list... So yes you are

So Kingston Vol is an employee of VQ? Got it. Makes sense.

 

[letsgoUT29]

I'm not conceding any game except for Bama. After watching how the team played (besides the QB) this past week I think every game except for Bama is attainable.

I would add Georgia to the list, but i agree. I don't think Pruitt will lose the team, because the best players are young guys that are focusing on improvement. The team came to play Saturday night, played with good energy, but made some mental mistakes that are expected.

They don't seem to be pointing fingers, and it's glaringly obvious to most people the issue is at QB. The 60 yard pass is also inexcusable, but if this team can continue to make strides and learn the defense they can still salvage a respectable season. Even if they don't go to a bowl game, if they just look like a good team at the end of the season recruiting will not take a hit.

 

[Garren04]

I think Warrior has been the one lining everyone up on Def with Bituli out.

Well he can’t tackle to save his life

 

[JAllen18]

Anyone noticed that Chaney hasn't dialed up the deep ball for Palmer or Callaway? I don't know if that is due to JG continually checking down or if Chaney doesn't have faith in the O-line.

Part of the reason we won against Auburn & KY were due to the fact that Palmer and other WR's were able to connect on the 50-50 balls on those deep shots down the field. Haven't seen that yet in 2 games.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

Anyone noticed that Chaney hasn't dialed up the deep ball for Palmer or Callaway? I don't know if that is due to JG continually checking down or if Chaney doesn't have faith in the O-line.

Part of the reason we won against Auburn & KY were due to the fact that Palmer and other WR's were able to connect on the 50-50 balls on those deep shots down the field. Haven't seen that yet in 2 games.

Palmer was wide open for one Saturday night, and our QB didn’t even give him a chance with the throw.

 

[SLICKYINC]

Did Middleton play at all Saturday?

I don’t recall seeing him play.

Same question on Banks at LB?

I know for sure Banks played on special teams this past weekend. Listening to Swain this morning, he said that DA and CJP were having to hold Reid and Banks hands during 11 on 11 warm ups before the game. He's just not ready to play LB yet imo. He's only been practicing there for about 2 weeks. I wish they would put the kid somewhere and leave him. He's too good a player to be shuffled around.

 

[Dooby15]

Anyone noticed that Chaney hasn't dialed up the deep ball for Palmer or Callaway? I don't know if that is due to JG continually checking down or if Chaney doesn't have faith in the O-line.

Part of the reason we won against Auburn & KY were due to the fact that Palmer and other WR's were able to connect on the 50-50 balls on those deep shots down the field. Haven't seen that yet in 2 games.

Palmer was wide open on a deep ball Saturday and JG......missed him. Missed Jennings in the end zone before the half on about a 30 yard pass. That’s 14 easy points.

 

[Chuckie]

I would add Georgia to the list, but i agree. I don't think Pruitt will lose the team, because the best players are young guys that are focusing on improvement. The team came to play Saturday night, played with good energy, but made some mental mistakes that are expected.

They don't seem to be pointing fingers, and it's glaringly obvious to most people the issue is at QB. The 60 yard pass is also inexcusable, but if this team can continue to make strides and learn the defense they can still salvage a respectable season. Even if they don't go to a bowl game, if they just look like a good team at the end of the season recruiting will not take a hit.

Yeah, I'd put UGA in that category, too. And, if we start having some success, I think Pruitt can keep enough of the team to maintain positive momentum. But, if we start out 1-6, I think there's a strong possibility that he starts losing the younger players, too.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I think he’ll get next year unless we’re looking at something like 1-10 or 2-9 going into the Vanderbilt game to end the season. But I don’t think that will be the case. IF the team the played BYU shows up every week, this is a 3-4-5 win team.

My concern is that even the top end of that isn’t good enough to light a fire under recruiting. We all said going into the year that we needed 7 or more wins to have that difference making class. Now that’s out the window and we’re going to win half as many games. That has to have an effect.

My concern is 2020 as a make or break year. The schedule is tougher and we’ll still be young - especially on defense.

Right now - and a lot can change of course - but I’d have us pegged as a 7ish win team next season. And how we reach those 7 wins would determine if Pruitt survives it. Start something like 2-5 and he might not get the chance to turn it around.

UTC & UAB are must win, and then I think Vanderbilt, Kentucky, South Carolina (especially losing Bentley), Missouri, Miss State are the only good chances left to find wins. The class he brought in this season is a very stout "foundation" class. Especially if we continue to see the freshmen play and show out (Gray & Henry T already doing it, hoping Morris & Wright take over as well). Then honestly 2020 class is about keeping Bailey and having that QB of the future for next year.

I don't think I'm going to worry myself much about next season yet, just going to hope that the team continues to get better every game and starts winning. Could be wrong, but if they pull off an SEC upset before that Bama game...could be a big turn around heading into the last half of the season.

 

[UTSuave’]

Last week the complaint was he hates JJ so he refuses to throw to him lol. JG is just not that good, and our OL is even worse. JG isn't as bad as you guys say though. Seeing the wide open person who isn't your first read doesn't happen when your OL sucks. That's most college QB, not just JG. He's been running for his life his whole career, it's habit by this point to lock in on his first look because most times he only has time for one look. Woth our OL, it's not going to matter a lot who the QB is.

You’re more lenient than I am.its been 3 years with no results.the only thing consistent with JG is his QBR rating which never falls below 60.if you go back and compare his 4 years of high school stats to his first two full years of college football and add the first two games of his third collegiate season.youll see that he’s done peaked as a player and won’t improve anymore.hes putting up the same numbers now that he did in high school.

 

[letsgoUT29]

Recruiting is “pretty good.”

Dooley’s three classes: 7th, 14th, 19th // avg. 13.3
Butch’s 4 classes: 25th, 7th, 4th, 14th // avg. 12.5

You’d say all of those were “pretty good” but none of them bridged the talent gap between us and the top of the SEC.

Pruitt’s 3 classes: 21st, 13th, 22nd (right now - 3/4 wins will make sure it doesn’t improve) // avg. 18.6

So yes, it is “substandard” by comparing it to previous staffs’ recruiting output. And it is certainly substandard by SEC comparison.

Don't forget Dooley's first class heavily benefited from Kiffin's early enrollees which included Tyler Bray and Jawaun James. Not to mention the guys he laid the groundwork for like Justin Hunter, James Stone and Da'Rick Rogers.

 

[Garren04]

Palmer was wide open on a deep ball Saturday and JG......missed him. Missed Jennings in the end zone before the half on about a 30 yard pass. That’s 14 easy points.

I can’t stop thinking about our QB play. If they don’t give Maurer or JT a shot I might lose my mind.

 

[jave36]

Anyone noticed that Chaney hasn't dialed up the deep ball for Palmer or Callaway? I don't know if that is due to JG continually checking down or if Chaney doesn't have faith in the O-line.

Part of the reason we won against Auburn & KY were due to the fact that Palmer and other WR's were able to connect on the 50-50 balls on those deep shots down the field. Haven't seen that yet in 2 games.

That has been frustrating. Calloway and JJ are both above average on 50/50 fades, and JG throws a decent long ball. If nothing else it stretches the defense out and makes them think an extra half second before coming down closer to the LOS for future plays. Could be lack of faith in the OL like you said, but I do hope we see some of that soon.

 

[Glitch]

JG did all that to start the game. Perhaps it was “fake” but the outward body language was that of a leader when the game started

Honestly, I didn't really watch him closely due to being in the stands. It is more than just stepping up during one game though. Leadership is something that is demonstrated over time. Not something you turn on at game time. Again, I am not saying that JG isn't a good leader because I don't see what he does during practice or meetings or other times. It is just the impression I get as a casual observer. When a WR has to step up and claim the leadership role it speaks to me that JG isn't willing to take it on.

 

[HankHill]

No this "y'all" has never been been a fan of JG. Check my stats. Be glad when he goes to that early draft you said he was good enough to go to.

Lol the military draft?

 

[jave36]

You’re more lenient than I am.its been 3 years with no results.the only thing consistent with JG is his QBR rating which never falls below 60.if you go back and compare his 4 years of high school stats to his first two full years of college football and add the first two games of his third collegiate season.youll see that he’s done peaked as a player and won’t improve anymore.hes putting up the same numbers now that he did in high school.

I don't think your high school numbers argument holds much weight, but I agree he's not ever going to be even above average. You see QB even in the NFL get ruined by a bad OL, and I think that's where JG is. Take too many hits and get used to instant pressure, it seems like some QB aren't able to get out of the habit even if the OL improves later.

Tyler Wilson comes to mind.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Palmer was wide open for one Saturday night, and our QB didn’t even give him a chance with the throw.

Said it before that was JG's best throw...and it was still way off.

The 2nd TD to JJ he missed an open Gray crossing in front of his face (who coulda walked in with a touch pass leading him). That deep ball to Palmer woulda been 6 with a touch more air so he could catch it without having to dive.

 

[jave36]

Recruiting is “pretty good.”

Dooley’s three classes: 7th, 14th, 19th // avg. 13.3
Butch’s 4 classes: 25th, 7th, 4th, 14th // avg. 12.5

You’d say all of those were “pretty good” but none of them bridged the talent gap between us and the top of the SEC.

Pruitt’s 3 classes: 21st, 13th, 22nd (right now - 3/4 wins will make sure it doesn’t improve) // avg. 18.6

So yes, it is “substandard” by comparing it to previous staffs’ recruiting output. And it is certainly substandard by SEC comparison.

I disagree, I think we had the talent to compete in the SEC with those classes. Coaching was the problem, not talent.

 

[HankHill]

Don't forget Dooley's first class heavily benefited from Kiffin's early enrollees which included Tyler Bray and Jawaun James. Not to mention the guys he laid the groundwork for like Justin Hunter, James Stone and Da'Rick Rogers.

Dooley did work his first class. Kiffin had a little to do with it but not that much. That’s a misconception. Harry heistand was pulling those OLmen too.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I don't think @Kingston Vol is advocating firing Pruitt. I just think he doesn't have much confidence that it's going to work. I feel much the same way. We've all seen this movie before and many of us have a hard time seeing a different ending. I need to see something on the field to change my mind. I'm not seeing it. Did the Vols play harder Saturday? Yes. Did they execute better? Maybe slightly. I'm in the believe it when I see it mode. I really like Pruitt but I am 100% sure he wasn't ready to be the head coach at the University of Tennessee and the learning curve is steep. @LA Vol has alluded to a lot of hand holding on the part of Fulmer trying to "tutor" Pruitt. I'm just not sure it's going to work out like we ALL want.

 

[zhangliao04]

Well he can’t tackle to save his life

Can't argue with this.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I know for sure Banks played on special teams this past weekend. Listening to Swain this morning, he said that DA and CJP were having to hold Reid and Banks hands during 11 on 11 warm ups before the game. He's just not ready to play LB yet imo. He's only been practicing there for about 2 weeks. I wish they would put the kid somewhere and leave him. He's too good a player to be shuffled around.

He's gonna stick a ILB, he'll be starting beside Henry next season... my early bold prediction

I just want to see someone take over at OLB, Taylor can't be counted on when he's the only pressure guy. Teams circle him mentally before every pass play he's out there and he will never get a real 1 on 1 assignment. Bumphus starting to look like he wants to be on the field more and I'm hoping Crouch & Roman begin to rise as OLB options.

 

[SoilVol]

Anyone noticed that Chaney hasn't dialed up the deep ball for Palmer or Callaway? I don't know if that is due to JG continually checking down or if Chaney doesn't have faith in the O-line.

Part of the reason we won against Auburn & KY were due to the fact that Palmer and other WR's were able to connect on the 50-50 balls on those deep shots down the field. Haven't seen that yet in 2 games.

There was a play on Saturday where we faked the handoff and JG looked deep down the sideline then dumped it short (not even to the LOS). The commentators routinely mentioned that we were running verts all night. JG missed Palmer on a deep ball across the middle.

 

[justwatch123]

Dooley did work his first class. Kiffin had a little to do with it but not that much. That’s a misconception. Harry heistand was pulling those OLmen too.

Think Heistand is a great OL coach