2020 Position group.. WR’s a Strength or Weakness?

#51
#51
They shouldn't be a weakness, but they might not be a "strength" either. I think they'll be solid. You have proven experience with Palmer, Johnson, and to a lesser degree Velus. You have to less experienced guys with potential with Keyton, Tillman, and Gibbs. And then you have some exciting freshmen as well. I'll be excited to see how they develop for sure.
 
#52
#52
The fortunate thing about where we are as a team, we won't be forced to play any freshman at WR unless they just show out. We have enough experience and talent that if a freshman is playing you'll know he has earned it rather than just playing out of necessity.
 
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#53
#53
rdk4121 said:
The fortunate thing about where we are as a team, we won't be forced to play any freshman at WR unless they just show out. We have enough experience and talent that if a freshman is playing you'll know he has earned it rather than just playing out of necessity.
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My concern is I that Calloway and Jennings were a lot better than the offense showed. Until the QB problem is solved the WRs will matter little. Not a fan of Chaney’s offense or the QB coaching. Tee needs to be moved to QB coach.
 
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#54
#54
Smokeyone said:
Is it possible that the lack of production was a result of 2 very good WRs ahead of them and an average to below average passing game?
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Yes, possibly. But regardless, the others are unproven, for whatever reason.

I think UT’s o-line and secondary groups are the strengths of the team. The WR’s are not. That doesn’t mean they can’t become a strength.
 
#55
#55
Right now I'd say the WR corps are fine, it depends on QB play. You got 5 receivers on a given play...... one QB.
 
#56
#56
PulaskiVolFan said:
No it's not that simple. The SEC has the best DBs in the country and it's not uncommon for them to dominate weak WRs. You can't simply throw WRs open if they can't get any separation.
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If the running game is as good as it's supposed to be and the QB plays really well, you can get away with average WRs. We had awesome WRs, decent RBs and a growing OL and the passing game was still very poor.
 
#58
#58
greazy1722 said:
My nephew Brandon going to have a monster year. He put alot of muscle on his body. He is a little over 205. The kid been ready for a long time. Its his year to shine.
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Hope so. Hope he and the others have a QB that actually gives them an opportunity to shine.
 
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#59
#59
Other_Guy said:
If the running game is as good as it's supposed to be and the QB plays really well, you can get away with average WRs. We had awesome WRs, decent RBs and a growing OL and the passing game was still very poor.
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The QB play wasn't good... Maurer and Shrout weren't ready. JG is fatally flawed.

In your economic... the one thing you cannot have is bad, inconsistent QB play. The OL, RB, and receivers can all be really good... and be tanked by a QB that doesn't process reads fast enough and cannot anticipate throws. That's what UT has in JG. Hopefully one of the others can be a more complete QB and pass him.
 
#60
#60
Other_Guy said:
If the running game is as good as it's supposed to be and the QB plays really well, you can get away with average WRs. We had awesome WRs, decent RBs and a growing OL and the passing game was still very poor.
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Why do you assume that the running game is going to improve? I certainly hope that it does but I just don't see a 1000 yard rusher on our current roster nor do I see 200+ yards a game with the current group of RBs. Pruitt's conservative style works perfect if we could produce 200 yrds/game both rushing and throwing, something that we've not been able to do consistently enough to beat good teams.
 
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#61
#61
sjt18 said:
The QB play wasn't good... Maurer and Shrout weren't ready. JG is fatally flawed.

In your economic... the one thing you cannot have is bad, inconsistent QB play. The OL, RB, and receivers can all be really good... and be tanked by a QB that doesn't process reads fast enough and cannot anticipate throws. That's what UT has in JG. Hopefully one of the others can be a more complete QB and pass him.
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2019 Team Statistics

Looks to me like QB play was as good or better than 8 other teams in the league. Out of the top 6 only Tn, Fl and Texas A&M return the guy that got the majority of snaps. Vols are in good shape at the QB position as opposed to the doom and gloom you are constantly spewing out.
 
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#62
#62
PulaskiVolFan said:
2019 Team Statistics

Looks to me like QB play was as good or better than 8 other teams in the league. Out of the top 6 only Tn, Ga and Texas A&M return the guy that got the majority of snaps. Vols are in good shape at the QB position as opposed to the doom and gloom you are constantly spewing out.
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Personal vendetta against "certain" qbs. Facts don't matter.

Not to mention a wr core being a strength or weakness of a team is independent of the qbs. Either the guys are talented are not.
 
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#63
#63
I'd assume they are a weakness given the loss of Calloway and Jennings until the younger guys prove otherwise on the field.
 
#64
#64
Smokeyone said:
Is it possible that the lack of production was a result of 2 very good WRs ahead of them and an average to below average passing game?
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2019 Team Statistics

I don't think that Vols passing game was below average at all. Not sure why anyone else would either. Our offensive philosophy keeps our passing game numbers lower than others but our production last season was top 6 in a 14 team league. You can argue that it could be better but then all you are doing is asking for elite play in the passing game and Pruitt has not shown that he wants an elite passing game in his conservative offensive philosophy.
 
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#66
#66
PulaskiVolFan said:
2019 Team Statistics

I don't think that Vols passing game was below average at all. Not sure why anyone else would either. Our offensive philosophy keeps our passing game numbers lower than others but our production last season was top 6 in a 14 team league. You can argue that it could be better but then all you are doing is asking for elite play in the passing game and Pruitt has not shown that he wants an elite passing game in his conservative offensive philosophy.
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Pruitt wants a 55% completion rate? Combine that number with total yardage and I dont think it was a lack of play calling or scheme. I believe it was a lack of consistency at QB and 2 really good WRs that did what they could with what they had to work with. Fewer attempts sure but 55% completion and 4th best yards per attempt.
 
#67
#67
PulaskiVolFan said:
Why do you assume that the running game is going to improve? I certainly hope that it does but I just don't see a 1000 yard rusher on our current roster nor do I see 200+ yards a game with the current group of RBs. Pruitt's conservative style works perfect if we could produce 200 yrds/game both rushing and throwing, something that we've not been able to do consistently enough to beat good teams.
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Why would you not assume the running will improve?
 
#69
#69
Other_Guy said:
Why would you not assume the running will improve?
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I think I stated why, our group of RBs is the main reason. Chandler is the best of the bunch and he's coming off a bad season, Gray is too small to be a bell cow type back and we are currently using a LB in short yardage situations. Not to mention the fact that we've been one of the worst running teams in the conference the last 3 years and that usually doesn't change much unless personnel or philosophy changes, so I ask you again, why do you think our running game is going to improve?
 
#70
#70
PulaskiVolFan said:
I think I stated why, our group of RBs is the main reason. Chandler is the best of the bunch and he's coming off a bad season, Gray is too small to be a bell cow type back and we are currently using a LB in short yardage situations. Not to mention the fact that we've been one of the worst running teams in the conference the last 3 years and that usually doesn't change much unless personnel or philosophy changes, so I ask you again, why do you think our running game is going to improve?
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Your arguments are terrible.
#1. What is your basis for saying Chandler had a "bad" season?
#2. So since the freshman Grey isn't big enough to be a bell cow, ergo he's not going to be very good? The way he came along the last 2 games makes many think he will be the best of the group.
#3. Using the beast LB for goal line situations is not an argument to me. Lot of teams do that kind of thing. Do teams that use a FB not have good RBs?
#4. Your biggest issue is the fact you haven't mentioned the OL at all. They started 2 true freshman and a very rusty Trey Smith to start off. That hurt the run game. They became much better at the end of the year. Even if Cade Mays has to sit, the OL should be a very improved group which automatically makes the RBs better.
#5. They didn't lose anyone in the backfield or OL and potentially have have some good help coming in. If these players are improving like they should and the coaches are worth their pay, the group SHOULD improve.
The reasons for projected improvement far outweigh the reasons not IMO.
 
#71
#71
This is my biggest concern is will we drop off D/T JJ Calloway being gone. They dug us out of many holes. This a huge concern. We didnt just lose talent. We lost talent, experience & leadership
 
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#72
#72
FairburnVol said:
The wide receivers as a group next year seem like they have the talent to be top 5 in the SEC next year.. but they also have the inexperience to be in the bottom 5 of the sec. I’m more confident in the group because I think Palmer is gonna be a great leader and really raise his draft stock, kid is so talented. Then I think guys like Keyton and Hyatt will be key contributors as well. You also have wild cards like Gibbs, B. Johnson, and Velus. Nobody really knows what they’re gonna bring to the table. (Also depends on who is throwing these guys the ball.)
what are your thoughts on this position group for next year?
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There will be growing pains.

I think this receiving group will similar to that group in 2014 when Malone, North, Pearson were all new or young and could never be consistent game to game. There will be flashes where they show their talent, but I think there will be bad games too.
 
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#73
#73
It matters not how good or bad the WRs are. If you cannot get consistent decent QB play, you for doggone sure will not get good consistent WR play. On the hierarchy of needs in football, WR play can be no better than QB play.
 
#75
#75
FairburnVol said:
The wide receivers as a group next year seem like they have the talent to be top 5 in the SEC next year.. but they also have the inexperience to be in the bottom 5 of the sec. I’m more confident in the group because I think Palmer is gonna be a great leader and really raise his draft stock, kid is so talented. Then I think guys like Keyton and Hyatt will be key contributors as well. You also have wild cards like Gibbs, B. Johnson, and Velus. Nobody really knows what they’re gonna bring to the table. (Also depends on who is throwing these guys the ball.)
what are your thoughts on this position group for next year?
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Depends on the guy getting them the ball. Palmer is the clear No. 1. After that it’s a toss up. Gibbs or Keyton would be my guess at the No. 2 spot. Johnson in the slot. Hopefully the QBs can try and build some kind of relationship with them over the spring and summer and be ready for fall camp.
 
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