Recruiting Forum Football Talk IV

[MoCo_Vol]

I might need to watch the game again but I actually thought special teams was our worst unit. Place kicking was good but I wasn’t impressed at all with the kickoff and punt returns. I also didn’t think our coverage while kicking off was very good either.

1/1 on FGs, 5/5 of PATs
3 punts for an average of 49 yards
Held BG to under 20 yards per return on KR
BG had 0 punt returns

We weren't great in our PR game though, that I'll agree on. But their punter was kicking some hot garbage I think we only cleanly caught 1 punt the whole game, most where hitting and bouncing.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Beat Vandy.

SCe and Pitt are the swing games. 6 within possibility but I don’t think it happens.

Agreed...but my reason is mostly lack of depth at too many positions.

 

[BucVol98]

On the bright side of things we didn't lose our cupcake game like we did against GA State, and despite the fact that it wasn't, it could have been an absolute blowout, AND we actually made defensive adjustments at half-time that made a big difference

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

I will say for me the most disappointing thing was how indecisive Milton was when he did try to run.

Just felt like he didn't want to take off, and it's weird with his size & speed. He seemed to just be a step behind in most things, something I think will improve and I also kind of expected. He has all the physical tools and he just seems to have some rust with the speed of the game right now. I just hope he works through it by the time we play Florida.

He was protecting himself. That is exactly why he looked that way.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

He was protecting himself. That is exactly why he looked that way.

Definitely think you're right. Hopefully he plays out of his tentativeness.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Probably depends on health as much as anything.

We have like 5 SEC offensive linemen and 5 SEC linebackers. If we start seeing attrition in those spots we’re in trouble.

Disagree with you most of the time, but this time you're right.

 

[Rishvol]

What I loved the most is that we're 3 deep on the dline

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Agreed...but my reason is mostly lack of depth at too many positions.

Honestly this will be our biggest issue this year. I think DL and secondary are the only spots we got depth and the secondary doesn't have much experience when you get past the 2 deep guys.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I'm also hoping what I saw from the Gus Bus is the new norm. Dude had to make the biggest comeback in school history to squeak out a close win at home against a first time HC!

 

[BucVol98]

Some notes of interest off PFF - Milton.

Off - 65.8
Pass - 60.4
Run - 66.8

Ok, but not great scores. Seems about right. Plenty to work on.


1 turnoverworthy play (the fumble of course), 2.9% TWP - that's solid.

3 drops by receiver...21% drop rate. Obviously need some help by the receivers.

ADOT (average depth of target)...18.1 HOLY CRAP. That means he was laying out deeep ones all night, on average. Consider that when looking at completion% (there's also depth-adjusted completion% and his was 63% - just fine).


The bad:

8 total pressures...combine that with a 3.5 second TTT (time to throw) - and says those "pressures" tended to be on Milton.

3 sacks - again, mostly on Milton imo, there was maybe 1 that wasn't. Milton is ok at escaping but, as expected, is far from a Dobbs runner. But if he can be more decisive moving forward...that should help his escapability.

To your last point, imo if Milton would just take off and run using his straight line speed, frame and strength he would be a much more effective runner. It seemed like much of the time when he ran he was almost scared of contact, if I was 6'4 240 I would be trying to abuse anyone at the back end that tried to tackle me, don't get me wrong I want him to stay healthy but there were times he could've bullied his way to a first down rather than being stopped a couple yards short

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Last night had to be an audition to recruits. Milton was told to go big in the throw game. Thursday game. Lots of eyes. New system. Just makes no other sense why so little effort was given to short and intermediate throws. My 2¢… overvalued as usual.

Dude...they were getting open on those routes, it wasn't the play calling, it was Milton not seeing and hitting the open man.

 

[Johnny Majors' Ghost]

Apparently it appears to some that Milton may have issues with his field vision. Perhaps he needs....

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I mean if the WRs don't drop some of those balls that hit 'em in the hands (regardless of how much heat was on 'em). We probably see a bigger blowout.

Milton & staff seemed content to lean on the running game once the drops started happening....and he seemed to have worse ball placement after they happened too.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

How many picks did Milton throw last night? How many times did he force the ball into double coverage? How many times did he stare on reciever down the whole way then get blindsided and fumble? Was Milton perfect no, but he's better than what we had

 

[BucVol98]

Probably depends on health as much as anything.

We have like 5 SEC offensive linemen and 5 SEC linebackers. If we start seeing attrition in those spots we’re in trouble.

I didn't see much of a drop off with Ollie Lane in there but you are correct in saying we're thin at OL, but Lane and Davis are huge drop-off's IMO

 

[SpringBokVol]

Here is the reason why so many are disappointed:

WE were hoping for a miracle. A QB that was the answer. A finished product that would be elite and somehow have us skipping the painful rebuild.

But in reality, he is not a finished product and has a long way to go.

So the realization of that is painful and thus the reaction from the fans.

It's all good. This is going to be a fun team to watch and cheer for. Also frustrating. We are not skipping the line here. WE don't have a fast pass (neither Bailey or Hooker get us there any faster).

IIWII (it is what it is)

 

[05_never_again]

IMO, the perception of Milton's performance is way different if 1) he hit one of the deep balls he overthrow and/or 2) Hyatt didn't drop those 2 passes that hit him right in the hands.

 

[SpringBokVol]

Okay, let's talk positives:

What is the best thing you saw last night???

For me, it was Jerome Carvin. That dude was an animal and played hard and mean and through the echo of the whistle. I saw him pile at least 3 guys at the whistle and I LOVED IT.

 

[LA Vol]

I'd like to beat Pitt to start the season strong and honor Johnny Majors, but I think beating our mid-pack SECE opponents is pivotal to getting us where we want to be. Any hope of finishing third in the East starts-- or ends-- with winning most of those games.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Okay, let's talk positives:

What is the best thing you saw last night???

For me, it was Jerome Carvin. That dude was an animal and played hard and mean and through the echo of the whistle. I saw him pile at least 3 guys at the whistle and I LOVED IT.

2 solid running backs that can swap consistently with not a ton of drop off. I saw 2 guys that can win a few games for you.

 

[ChattaTNVol]

Talking about over-reaction.

Last night UCF fell behind 0-21 to Boise State. The UCF message boards were slamming Gabriel and calling Malzahn a retread. One fan posted, “I miss Heupel.”

UCF came back and won the game 36-31 and Gabriel ended up with 318 yards passing and 4 TDs through the air and added 64 yards rushing to his stat line.

I was pulling for Boise just for the fun of it.

 

[Nashvegas31]

While Milton didn’t set world on fire, the bright spot to me is I don’t have any doubts that this offense eventually one of the 3 QBs on the roster eventually runs it the way it should. The plays were there to be made if the open guy was seen or the ball was caught or more arc was on the deep ball. We probably are signing a different tune on Milton if Hyatt catches his two passes and Milton makes better throws to Tillman on the two deep balls where his man was beat.

What confused me is Payton was big part of the scripted drives but then never saw him. Milton was really in a groove those first two drives then we got away from some of those easy throws.

Honestly I think the Hooker I saw at VA tech would have looked really good with the type of plays we were running last night. So much open space that he would be deadly with his legs.

I like Heupel honesty. He wasn’t up there saying QB played great. He told it like it was. I don’t think he will be stubborn like Pruitt when it comes to considering a change of Milton struggles vs Pitt

 

[Vols4us]

Successful QB's have the ball in the air to the receiver as he gains separation from the d-back subject to the called route (unless going back shoulder). They read the coverages and know where to go with the ball based on the pre-snap D alignment and their movement after the snap. They keep down and distance in mind for check downs if the coverage is tight on intermediate to deep routes. They throw catchable balls based on the abilities of their receivers whom they practice with day after day. They are mobile in the pocket and can sense pressure well.

Will see if #7 figures that out and if this coaching staff can help him enough to win games. The opponent last night made for the equivalent of a good scrimmage against the 2's or scout team. We will know more after Pitt.

 

[Ttucke11]

IMO, the perception of Milton's performance is way different if 1) he hit one of the deep balls he overthrow and/or 2) Hyatt didn't drop those 2 passes that hit him right in the hands.

Very. I'm usually the hard critic in my circle of the Vols, but damn this board is killing me today. It was not a great performance, but we won by 32. We get a couple extra days for film study. Everyone chill. We've seen much much worse in recent years than last night's game.

 

[De La Cloobs]

I never understood why people were so high on Milton. Everyone loved the arm strength and forgot about accuracy and completion percentage. Everyone said he was a dual threat.

I’ve never seen someone with his physical attributes play so timid. It’s not possible to have 8+ seconds behind the line of scrimmage and still not find an open receiver against a team like bowling green. I would rather have a slow, small, accurate gun slinger with good decision making capabilities.

Milton is likely what Michigan fans warned us about. All the potential for greatness but comes up startlingly underwhelming.

That being said, I trust Hypel and his ability to create great QBs. Hopefully Milton gets better and better because that kind of QB play won’t work against SEC opponents.

We will see.