Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[Jackcrevol]

Yeah too many chicken nugget Littles

WE ARE BACK

And we are about to upgrade in the portal and regardless, we have our best blue chip ratio in the Heup era.

You also gotta consider how valuable it will be to have a quarterback that can hit the WIDE open ones.

twenty three minutes of misses

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Thank you. I’ll give him he made some good throws in the Alabama game (and one really dumb one) but any game manager last year would have had similar results.

If he had even below average accuracy in the first half and not HORRIFIC accuracy

We blow Bama out of the water

He missed at least 3 wide open touchdowns and we missed 3 field goals, including his horrible red zone INT and Gastons horrible redzone INT.

 

[Vol423]

The thing I like most about him is that he's been through a ton of QB battles, and if he's coming here, it's because he thinks he can win. Which would mean a very agressive QB battle through the offseason and fall camp. It will engage and likely advance everyone in the QB room. That's certainly fantastic. The QB battle was relatively non-existent otherwise. Everyone knew it was Nico's.

"He's been through a ton of QB battles." That's one way to put it. A more meaningful way to put it is that he's lost a ton of QB battles, including finishing 3rd in Notre Dame's current QB battle.

 

[jave36]

"He's been through a ton of QB battles." That's one way to put it. A more meaningful way is to put it is that he's lost a ton of QB battles, including finishing 3rd in Notre Dame's current QB battle.

How many qb battles do great QBs usually go through? That's not a Stat you want to me high haha

 

[Jackcrevol]

still waiting on something final but when your read who will be starting for the Vols, I promise you will see it! (unless someone else reads it to you)

Has been on phone with Steve from Lexington, and Tony Basilio.

Kidding, hope you're right.

 

[MockingVol]

Maybe so. But where have we upgraded over last season?

QB - Big no
RB - Big no
WR - Meh
OL - Mid no without Coop at C
TE - I dare say yes - hoping Davis finally breaks out, as he should be a stud, but Kitselman was a really nice surprise last year too.

Defense - that was one hell of a defense, so upgrading would be very optimistic

My thoughts

QB: Very moderate downgrade from last year - I think the downgrade becomes sizable if looking at the next step we expected Nico to take this year, but if just looking at the production we got last year it’s a slightly negative wash.

RB: Of course losing Dylan is a downgrade, but we go into every year saying “how do we replace x?” just to yet again have a top rushing attack with a new guy being viewed as a top RB in the conference/nation. I would bet you $500 today that we’ll have a top 4 rushing offense in the SEC.

WR: With you on meh. I like the talent, but it’s completely untested and lacks depth. Think the only real loss from the corps last year was Thornton.

OL: Outlook of being minorly upgraded with a chance for the boost being major. C is the only spot that degrades, but we are going to have a more physically able body there.

TE: Again same, I like our upperclassmen and the young guys that are providing depth /learning.

 

[Weezer]

Agree 100%. I think as our line is constructed, it will be much improved. I love Cooper, but he was limited physically. Guards are much improved with new guys. Heard believes this is a contract year for him. I expect him to be much improved. Get a Wr and I am worried about safety. I think we have to upgrade there. Some good ones in portal too.

Any idea what we're actually looking for in the portal? I'm assuming QB and WR. Are we looking for anymore OL? Looking for help on defense?

 

[Mrpeabody8888]

Any idea what we're actually looking for in the portal? I'm assuming QB and WR. Are we looking for anymore OL? Looking for help on defense?

got to believe we get a d lineman as well, I don’t think coaches feel like it’s a priority, but I want a safety.

O line I don’t believe will be a priority right now, they have starters identified and like some of the kids for in a spot injury situation.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

got to believe we get a d lineman as well, I don’t think coaches feel like it’s a priority, but I want a safety.

O line I don’t believe will be a priority right now, they have starters identified and like some of the kids for in a spot injury situation.

So Brecht

A stud WR
A studly DL

Butt whippin's locked and loaded

 

[Mrpeabody8888]

So Brecht

A stud WR
A studly DL

Butt whippin's locked and loaded

WRs are asking stupid money. They think it’s the NFL apparently. I hope we find one.

 

[tnvols72]

7-5 or 8-4 this year.

Could be the same if Nico was still here.

 

[BigSteve09]

"He's been through a ton of QB battles." That's one way to put it. A more meaningful way to put it is that he's lost a ton of QB battles, including finishing 3rd in Notre Dame's current QB battle.

Are you under the impression that we are getting a starter?

 

[Casual Mustard Yeeter]

Heard Gruden has a staff ready.

The deal is DONE. Did you know his wife was a cheerleader at UT? They love Knoxville!

 

[Weezer]

got to believe we get a d lineman as well, I don’t think coaches feel like it’s a priority, but I want a safety.

O line I don’t believe will be a priority right now, they have starters identified and like some of the kids for in a spot injury situation.

I'm surprised we don't target a CB just because of McCoy's injury. I agree on safety help. Need at least one more DL for the rotation. I wouldn't even be opposed to adding another LB to the mix. I question our depth.

 

[Mrpeabody8888]

I'm surprised we don't target a CB just because of McCoy's injury. I agree on safety help. Need at least one more DL for the rotation. I wouldn't even be opposed to adding another LB to the mix. I question our depth.

I think with lack of outbound transfers, at best we can add 5 or 6 when all is said and done. So the spots will be important.

 

[Vol423]

Are you under the impression that we are getting a starter?

Not sure, but most posters here seem to think so. I've stated numerous times already that I think that would be a mistake. Anyone we bring in won't be able to operate at our offensive tempo, and they won't know the playbook. I expect Merklinger to be our starter this year.

 

[VOLumeS]

The deal is DONE. Did you know his wife was a cheerleader at UT? They love Knoxville!

Soon.

 

[tnvols72]

Are you under the impression that we are getting a starter?

If he isnt planning on bringing in a starter then might as well bring Gaston back and spend Nicos money on WRs or DBs

 

[BigSteve09]

Not sure, but most posters here seem to think so. I've stated numerous times already that I think that would be a mistake. Anyone we bring in won't be able to operate at our offensive tempo, and they won't know the playbook. I expect Merklinger to be our starter this year.

So it would make sense to bring in a depth piece with maturity and experience to ground the QB room?

 

[vols 30]

If he isnt planning on bringing in a starter then might as well bring Gaston back and spend Nicos money on WRs or DBs

I hope this plays out this way

 

[TN-POSSUM]

still waiting on something final but when your read who will be starting for the Vols, I promise you will see it! (unless someone else reads it to you)

 

[BigSteve09]

If he isnt planning on bringing in a starter then might as well bring Gaston back and spend Nicos money on WRs or DBs

I'd be fine with this approach.

 

[tnvols72]

I hope this plays out this way

same here. Gaston knows this offense

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

We are laughing

 

[Vol423]

So it would make sense to bring in a depth piece with maturity and experience to ground the QB room?

Yes.