2021 Fall Practice #9

#1

Fingers

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2010
Messages
6,408
Likes
43,246
#1
#18 is not at practice today for Tennessee.
t.wallace














Thursday scrimmage


Jimmy Calloway, Jacob Warren and Trinity Bell were not in shoulder pads. Len’Neath Whitehead had only his helmet while Kaemen Marley was dressed in full, but off to the side.
The offensive line – that saw Wright, Carvin, Mays, Spraggins and Mays up first in drills – was getting some excitement out of Glen Elarbee today. That unit struggled in the scrimmage Thursday, so Elarbee was looking for a bounce back effort.
Quarterbacks worked pocket presence while in drills, stepping up in the pocket or flushing out when evaded from the pocket. The order appeared to be Milton, Hooker and then Bailey while we were out there.
I continue to be impressed with the way Milton is throwing the football. Yes it’s routes on air and yes there is no rush, but he’s consistently connected on the deeper routes in that session while the other two have missed more, in comparison and in my opinion.
A lot of time on the underneath routes, Milton makes the motion look effortless with great feet and the fastest release of the three.
e.cain

The order through routes-on-air on Saturday morning went Joe Milton III, Hendon Hooker and Harrison Bailey. The Vols previously have gone by jersey number low to high and then high to low, but if ever there was a practice where the order was indicative of something, it's probably the first one back from a scrimmage.
In addition to leading the line, Milton also was the sharpest in routes-on-air, which featured some combo routes, crossing patterns, comebacks and post-corners. Milton was on target with each throw, while Hooker and Bailey each had an overthrow on the flag routes. The quarterbacks also worked on mesh points with the running backs and their footwork taking snaps out of the pistol.
Tennessee's offensive line didn't have a great scrimmage, and the unit's first practice back reflected that.
In terms of the lineup, there didn't appear to be any notable changes with the first group, which again was (left to right) Darnell Wright, Jerome Carvin, Cooper Mays, Javontez Spraggins and Cade Mays.
Wide receiver Jimmy Calloway and tight end Jacob Warren were not dressed out and did not practice. Warren was walking around very gingerly, while Calloway didn't appear to be as unencumbered. Running back Len'Neth Whitehead also did not go through drills and was not dressed out, and freshman wide receiver Kaemen Marley continued to work on the side with the strength and conditioning staff.
At wide receiver, Velus Jones Jr. continues to go through drills despite dealing with a hamstring injury that was strapped up noticeably and Walker Merrill continues to go through drills in a knee brace after his spring injury. Merrill said on Wednesday he's close to 100%, for what it's worth. Without Callaway, Jalin Hyatt, who was holding a football during the team's stretch (perhaps a sign of needed improvement in ball security) and Merrill were the first two up out of the slot.
p.brown

You could tell immediately that Glen Elarbee looking for his offensive line group to set the tone on Saturday, after a not so pleasant outing during the scrimmage. During the drills portion, it was Mays, Spraggins, Mays, Carvin and Wright working with the first group. I would expect Elarbee to continue switching things up until he feels comfortable with this group.

Joe Milton led off the group and looked the part with his throwing. As the Vols ran combo routes, corner routes and others, Milton definitely looked the better thrower out of the group. His passes are so crisp and he doesn’t have to put much effort into throws toward the sidelines or down the field. Hendon Hooker and Harrison Bailey each had a few miscues, but again, it’s only routes on air and we get to see a certain period of time. But the quarterback room could be taking shape, which is why Tuesday is key for this battle.

You could tell that Jalin Hyatt is continuing to make strides coming out of the slot or even the outside, as he’s tried to take his game to the next level, which the coaching staff world love to see.

At the tight end position, Jacob Warren was not dressed out for practice today, which meant Alex Golesh is dealing with an even thinner group today. Princeton Fant, Julian Nixon and Miles Campbell were working through drills, along with walk-on Hunter Salmon. This group cannot afford any injuries.
t.wallace
 
Last edited:
#5
#5
I never realized how many QB's we have, geez it's like a conga line of QB's waiting for snaps. Anyway, thanks for posting.
 
#11
#11
Either both people making those videos missed Bailey throwing or he's no longer getting a share as large as the other two. That was one of the tells on Maurer even before he posted anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T2P_Priceless
#12
#12
#14
#14
  • Like
Reactions: T2P_Priceless
#17
#17
If it’s Milton, I’d expect Bailey to be out the door.

I like bailey but when i watch highlights he looks solid but does nothing to kind of wow you just like last year. milton seems have more of a arm which we all know. Release is quicker, ball jumps out his hand, looks very accurate. Bailey does alot good but nothing great or eye popping. Hopefully milton can. We need a game changer not game manager. Hopefully we will find one!!!
 
#19
#19
Very excited about the potential of this team. We have some good talent, we just needed some good coaching, development, and scheming to go with it.

I remember the days of the Sullins twins starting on o-line and guys like Nick Reveiz starting in the LB corps. They were hard-working and tough-playing guys, but we are no longer that depleted in talent on our roster. As many players as we lost to the transfer portal, we still have a lot of existing talent plus the new guys we brought in.

I feel like Milton is the frontrunner for QB right now, and I think he will really surprise some people this year. If he is “the guy” then we could really be set up well for the next few seasons with his 3 years of remaining eligibility. A plus of the NIL is that it may potentially make fewer players leave early for the draft, especially if they have the ability to improve draft stock with another year while still making an income.
 
#22
#22
Either both people making those videos missed Bailey throwing or he's no longer getting a share as large as the other two. That was one of the tells on Maurer even before he posted anything.
Coaches stopped the recording for some reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sjt18
#23
#23
I have no rooting interest in who wins the qb derby, but my instinct and study of Heupel's system seems to have me leaning toward Milton as early starter followed closely by Hooker with HB being 3rd. I just don't see Bailey as well fitted for this offense. Now, if it were Bailey without the two transfers in, I would think that CJH would adapt his system to best fit HB and go forward. But that is not where we are. Milton starts, with HH coming off bench to be a legit 1b and as for HB? I just don't see any way he stays past the first month of the season. He could drop down a level could he not, and still potentially play this year (tough to fit in at this point any new program barring injuries)? I don't expect HB to stay if not named 1 or 1b.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnnyJava

VN Store



Back
Top