If we thought the 2009 oline was bad... Wait until 2010. I love the Vols, but we are in for a rough year. Can't win in the SEC without a good oline.
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I think it will be interesting to see. I agree that we will struggle with the Oline, but am not convinced that last year's line was that much better.
Gotta love the Sullins twins work ethic and story, but they were 260 lb former walkons who never played a down in a game at this point last year. I think we are at the very least dead even for those two spots, but more likely better. At least we have more size/strength/raw ability. For instance, Gooch is a 300 lb'er with wrestling bkgnd and has played center a couple years at JC. I'll take that over a 260 lb former w/o with no experience.
We clearly give up some at a few of the other positions, granted. But, I'm not sure that JJ is a downgrade from Douglas. Neither ever played an SEC down at tackle, but James has better size (although Douglas had practiced at tight end in college at this point. Each had a spring at tackle).
I think we'll start at maybe 90% of where we started last year. But last year's unit gelled pretty well and played well relative to their potential. I think it's possible that this year's could be just as good, but it is certainly possible that they won't.
I think we are at a similar postion at QB. I'm a big fan of Crompton for the last 5 games, etc., but he was really bad the first 5 or so. I think we will likely be better for the first five and not as good for the last five (think he had better physical skills/development, but terrible decision-making ability early on).
Upshot is that both OL and QB are huge unknowns that could go either way. But I don't think we're significantly different than last year at this point for them.