Good Signs

#1
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sjt18

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#1
We seem to be having endless debate about whether or to what degree the results of the last two games relate to coaching or talent. I personally think it is both but find myself responding more to those who avoid blaming the coaches at all. Seems few are in denial about UT's roster being less than ideal.

I have challenged others to point to signs for believing that this coaching staff is the right one to get it done... a reason to hope and believe in Jones.

The point of this thread is to list those "positives".

I do not think these are enough but will start with a couple of good signs I've noticed. Please feel free to add... but let's stay away from the negative stuff. We already have about 50 threads for that.

1- Croom's catch. Early in the season he looked lost and dropped easy catches. His catch on the slant from Worley vs UF was outstanding. He got inside position, used his body to shield off the defender, maintained great concentration, then caught a rocket pass with his hands and held on after getting hit pretty good. Croom is being coached up effectively and apparently quickly.

2- The LB's. The back ups leave much to be desired. However the starters are pretty good. AJ is being AJ... a good thing. Both Brewer and Sapp are making plays in space and are above avg LB's in coverage. Thigpen's guys are doing well. The return of Maggitt could make it a very strong group.

3- Swafford. They found him... they coached him... they played him. His pick 6 on Saturday isn't the first time I've noticed him playing well. He obviously isn't an elite athlete... but he still found a way to blanket one of the best receivers in the SEC in man coverage then cut under him to get the pick.

4- Worley. The possible good to come out of losing a winnable game at UF was that Worley got to see what he could do playing loose. When Bray first took over vs USCe, he immediately played well because he seemed to have a devil may care attitude. Simms played tight as a bow string. Bray had fun. Maybe... the brilliance of starting Peterman will be that Worley lets a little of his inner gun slinger come out. Maybe Jones has gotten him to stop hesitating on his decisions.
 
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#2
#2
The fact that we marched down the field for a TD after going down 31-10 made me feel good. Teams in the recent past would've folded.

Vincent Dallas has been handling kick return duties very well.

I feel like the running game with both Neal and Lane is still improving

Also, the secondary played a solid game. Very tough in the first half, and besides that one play around the edge and the QB scrambling around in the 2nd, looked much improved and confident.
 
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#3
#3
I saw emotion. They played till the end, they were mad, upset...they wanted to win. This, IMO, is what will drive them to keep working to get better. This is the attitude of Coach CBJ and staff. He says losing is unacceptable, and i believe that he really feels that way, this is what gives me hope for the future of Tennessee Football.
 
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#4
#4
There is no doubt this team is being coached up. People forget how bad the coaching has been here for the last five years. With some infusion of talent and some stability at the coaching position we will be back within two to three years. Patience. I know it sucks because we want instant gratification but it takes time to build a championship team.
 
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#5
#5
sjt18 said:
We seem to be having endless debate about whether or to what degree the results of the last two games relate to coaching or talent. I personally think it is both but find myself responding more to those who avoid blaming the coaches at all. Seems few are in denial about UT's roster being less than ideal.

I have challenged others to point to signs for believing that this coaching staff is the right one to get it done... a reason to hope and believe in Jones.

The point of this thread is to list those "positives".

I do not think these are enough but will start with a couple of good signs I've noticed. Please feel free to add... but let's stay away from the negative stuff. We already have about 50 threads for that.

1- Croom's catch. Early in the season he looked lost and dropped easy catches. His catch on the slant from Worley vs UF was outstanding. He got inside position, used his body to shield off the defender, maintained great concentration, then caught a rocket pass with his hands and held on after getting hit pretty good. Croom is being coached up effectively and apparently quickly.

2- The LB's. The back ups leave much to be desired. However the starters are pretty good. AJ is being AJ... a good thing. Both Brewer and Sapp are making plays in space and are above avg LB's in coverage. Thigpen's guys are doing well. The return of Maggitt could make it a very strong group.

3- Swafford. They found him... they coached him... they played him. His pick 6 on Saturday isn't the first time I've noticed him playing well. He obviously isn't an elite athlete... but he still found a way to blanket one of the best receivers in the SEC in man coverage then cut under him to get the pick.

4- Worley. The possible good to come out of losing a winnable game at UF was that Worley got to see what he could do playing loose. When Bray first took over vs USCe, he immediately played well because he seemed to have a devil may care attitude. Simms played tight as a bow string. Bray had fun. Maybe... the brilliance of starting Peterman will be that Worley lets a little of his inner gun slinger come out. Maybe Jones has gotten him to stop hesitating on his decisions.
Click to expand...

I think special teams are better.

Tackling and angles are better, but nowhere close to where they need to be.
 
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#6
#6
This team doesn't quit when they encounter adversity. That's all coaching and team buy in.

Right now, we don't have the horses. Yet, the program appears to have done a total 180 on its identity. That's a huge positive going forward. As long as the coaches hold the team together, we'll be fine. We may not be favored in many of our upcoming games, but if the team keeps playing hard and the ball bounces our way, we may steal a game or two.
 
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#7
#7
Yes i agree the team is playing with more emotion and pride, not giving up. Hopefully a leader on offense will emerge and help the offense improve. I belief this is what we are missing. The Defense has some things to work on, but did a good job and kept us close, they just need alittle help from the O. I am also seeing Croom and Pig making strides, it will get better.

Go Big Orange
 
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#9
#9
sjt18 said:
I do not think these are enough but will start with a couple of good signs I've noticed. Please feel free to add... but let's stay away from the negative stuff. We already have about 50 threads for that.

1- Croom's catch. Early in the season he looked lost and dropped easy catches. His catch on the slant from Worley vs UF was outstanding. He got inside position, used his body to shield off the defender, maintained great concentration, then caught a rocket pass with his hands and held on after getting hit pretty good. Croom is being coached up effectively and apparently quickly.

2- The LB's. The back ups leave much to be desired. However the starters are pretty good. AJ is being AJ... a good thing. Both Brewer and Sapp are making plays in space and are above avg LB's in coverage. Thigpen's guys are doing well. The return of Maggitt could make it a very strong group.

3- Swafford. They found him... they coached him... they played him. His pick 6 on Saturday isn't the first time I've noticed him playing well. He obviously isn't an elite athlete... but he still found a way to blanket one of the best receivers in the SEC in man coverage then cut under him to get the pick.

4- Worley. The possible good to come out of losing a winnable game at UF was that Worley got to see what he could do playing loose. When Bray first took over vs USCe, he immediately played well because he seemed to have a devil may care attitude. Simms played tight as a bow string. Bray had fun. Maybe... the brilliance of starting Peterman will be that Worley lets a little of his inner gun slinger come out. Maybe Jones has gotten him to stop hesitating on his decisions.
Click to expand...


:rock:

I like the positive thoughts.
 
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#11
#11
sjt18 said:
...

4- Worley. The possible good to come out of losing a winnable game at UF was that Worley got to see what he could do playing loose. When Bray first took over vs USCe, he immediately played well because he seemed to have a devil may care attitude. Simms played tight as a bow string. Bray had fun. Maybe... the brilliance of starting Peterman will be that Worley lets a little of his inner nerf gun slinger come out. Maybe Jones has gotten him to stop hesitating on his decisions.
Click to expand...


fyp.
 
#12
#12
1. I don't see any quit in this team.
2. I'm seeing a lot less stupid mistakes.
3. The defense is improved.

I think we will continue to improve as the season progresses. I'm not sure that folks really comprehend what CBJ is saying when he's talking about building "brick by brick." The veterans aren't accustomed to winning. The younger players won in HS but lack experience. CBJ is turning a big ship with a small rudder. He's installing a system, a foundation, and an attitude of winning. These things don't show up overnight.
 
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#13
#13
Here's the thing about good coaching. It takes a while to sink in.

Even if Butch were General Neyland, the players would still need reps at game speed in order to take what they have learned in the film room and on the practice field and consolidate that stuff into good instincts on the field. It all just takes time and reps.

One thing I can tell you for sure, if you don't think you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching a three-year rebuilding effort (which will be rocky at times), then you may as well check out now. Because you're not helping anything by complaining on a message board, and that includes your own mental health.

Try relaxing. Butch will get them where they need to be. Even if you have a roster full of studs, it still takes time. Ask Saban and Alabama how that first season went.
 
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#14
#14
Its positive to hear CBJ not blame the players for game performance. Butch could've lit up Peterman in the postgame report.
 
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#16
#16
Please try to be as concrete as you can with your responses. Touchy feely is nice and all... but if you want to respond with intangible things try to associate them with an example of how it shows up in tangible and at least somewhat specific ways.

I'm not Chris Matthews. Words that invoke tingles up the leg impress me far less than objective things.

Facts=>Belief=>Feeling. I do not believe there is EVER a case where a rational person should reverse this process. That's how we end up all sorts of messes.... feelings contorting our view of the facts.
 
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#17
#17
Just another thought. We played probably the best defensive line in the SEC tooth and toenail the entire game. Honestly, I believe if Worley had played the first half we might have had a chance to win. I hate to lose but I see improvement from week to week. Also, we are playing lots of young kids. I think things are looking up. Remember, this is the first real coaching we have had in several years !!!!!
.
 
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#18
#18
I'd say everyone can point out improvements on the team. Last year, all these small details and efforts were not being coached or implemented...and it just compounded the losing. This year, I think we have to keep it up---we can't change the makeup of the team but Jones can set the expectations and make these kids accountable. It's going to payoff at some point this year. I can't totally fault Jones for trying Peterman---it's better then holding the kid out and never knowing what he could give you. We know Peterman ain't the guy, at least this year.
 
#19
#19
I still think we upset at least 1 team this season. I also wish people would quit saying a player is awful. Last week people were slamming Croom, and this week he showed what he can do. He will be a great player, as most of these guys will once they get more comfortable with the system. Have a little faith for once.
 
#20
#20
UTjonez said:
Its positive to hear CBJ not blame the players for game performance. Butch could've lit up Peterman in the postgame report.
Click to expand...

I agree. If there is only one positive about CBJ, it is that he is consistent in what he says. He doesn't change his postgame speech based on what happen in the game. It is always about "this is a process", "it's going to take time to implement" etc.... We are headed in the right direction.
 
#21
#21
I thought Worley looked the best he had all year . He looked alot more relaxed,not saying he played great but he did show improvement .
Also they showed fight till the end. You didn't see the whipped puppy dog look like the last few years.
All in all I believe the team is getting a bit of fight , and attitude about them .
 
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#22
#22
Nobody has mentioned how much more physical this team is playing than I have seen in years. I don't think UF was ready for how physical UT is playing and it caught them off guard early. I think we lost one we could have won Saturday, but there is so much garbage that has to be dealt with and corrected from the past 5 years it will be a project. I am all in with this coaching staff and LOVE CBJ's INTENSITY. When was the last time we saw a coach with that look on the sideline.

EDIT: STJ wants specifics so I would just point to the number of UF players that were down and had to be helped off in the first half while UT seemed fresh and ready to roll, esp on the defensive side of the ball. As for CBJ's intensity just roll the tape for any sideline shot of coach.:peace2:
 
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#23
#23
volswillrise12 said:
I'd say everyone can point out improvements on the team. Last year, all these small details and efforts were not being coached or implemented...and it just compounded the losing. This year, I think we have to keep it up---we can't change the makeup of the team but Jones can set the expectations and make these kids accountable. It's going to payoff at some point this year. I can't totally fault Jones for trying Peterman---it's better then holding the kid out and never knowing what he could give you. We know Peterman ain't the guy, at least this year.
Click to expand...

Can you give some examples?

I am NOT looking for a big debate over roster vs coaching. However I'm also not looking for subjective statements without examples. What small details? What specific "efforts"?

I am also not really asking for where anyone thinks things are going. That only leads back into the coaching vs roster debate. I am asking for specific things you have noticed that indicate that we have the right coaches.

I listed some specific, tangible things that show someone is doing some coaching. Again, not enough for me to make a declaration like many have.
 
#24
#24
Dragon18 said:
Nobody has mentioned how much more physical this team is playing than I have seen in years. I don't think UF was ready for how physical UT is playing and it caught them off guard early. .
Click to expand...

I am not disagreeing but can you point to some examples?
 
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