London Vol
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Another match, another stressed out night, another night going to bed at 4.30am and another night proud to be a Vol.
This team literally does not know its beaten. And I will always remember those 3 seconds whilst I was processing what the on-side kick meant in relation to the match, I never ever considered it. But that’s why I watch the match from my television instead of having the coaches headphones on.
Quarterback
Another week another swing of fortunes for Guarantano as he goes back to being erratic, various throws were too high and he seemed to keep forcing the ball into double coverage whilst not checking down to wide open options. Maurer then demonstrates that whilst he has a gunslinger mentality, he is far too risky as his record of 2 touchdowns to 5 picks is proof. Then Guarantano comes back to help save the day again. I will never again critisice him but he is not the answer if we want to be a 10 – 2 or better team and other than the transfer portal (Burrow, Hurts and Fields were not so shabby) our hopes next season, although unfairly, lay with Harrison Bailey if we wish to make the next step
Running Back
In this game I was disappointed that the Offensive Line did not open many holes although Treys block was like “Moses and the Red Sea” for the go-ahead touchdown.
Eric Gray proved that Vanderbilt was no one off and he will, health permitting, take the first snap on September 5. He is what I thought Chandler would be this season and whilst Ty has not had a bad season, he just hasn’t been able to “break one” like Eric can do and with Jordan only a solid back up its Eric Gray from here. I hope he will improve his pass blocking though.
Wide Receivers
Given the poor accuracy of the passing, this group was pretty faultless. Keyton showed a glimpse for next season but that throw was still underthrown and Calloway needed the band conductors step ladders for his only catch. However, Josh Palmer quietly had another good game and I fully expect him to be the go-to guy in 2020.
Offensive Line
As mentioned, I was disappointed in the O Line only because I now rate this line that has plenty of potential. It should still be pointed out that although Guarantano has problems with checking down and has a slow release which makes him prone to being sacked and I think that only happened once. But the big holes were just not there. Great news about Kennedy returning and the two tackles have now taken their lumps as freshmen, so with only possibly needing to replace Trey next season at worse, this area will be a strength next season
Defensive Line
When the season awards are handed out, two things are clear, no Tackle will win and the D Line is the one of the main reasons why we have turned this season and the program around. Remember at the start of the season we lost the whole line and the projected starters were Gooden, Solomon and Savion Williams. Well it turned out that Emerson, Solomon, Middleton, Garland, Butler, Mincey and Bumphus shut down dangerous running backs week after week and this week Indiana managed a massive 2.50 yards per rush. Whop got - yards, yes minus, and their quarterback was running to survive all afternoon. Hats off to the coaches for coaching up the Line. And the cherry on the cake is that ALL of them return with Omari Thomas Dominic Bailey and Tyler Baron also on the way.
Linebackers
My actual favorite part of the team this year Bituli has been a monster, To’o To’o just gets better every week and he will be an All American before he leaves to play on Sundays. Taylor is again the best pass rusher in the SEC. Kivon is so frustratingly a half step away from flashy stats and Crouch is a talent that will blossom whilst he is here.
Defensive Backs
Whilst all eyes were on Warrior, it was Tank McCullough that has his “coming out party” and if Lawrence is as good as suggested, then the safety spots are a lock for the foreseeable future. It was very noticeable how Ramsey was taking so long to pass when he had the second-best passing stats in the Big 10 and that can only lead me into believing that the Corners were in lock down mood on Thursday. With both Taylor and Thompson back next year as Juniors, we are set here as well.
Special Teams
Cimaglia is also Automaglia and Brooks seems to knock the kick offs out the endzone for fun. I would say though I prefer Doyle on punts and I will not miss Calloway letting punts bounce. But overall in the 11 years of supporting the Vols I have yet to know a bad Special Teams year so I am probably complacent.
Coaching
After Dooley and Jones how can you not love what these coaches are doing. Just look at player development all over the pitch. Look how the players are so “brought in” to the cause which has meant winning a number of easily losable games. The recruiting and player evaluation are as good as it can be considering the win record. Jeremy Pruitt is THE man (look at Alabama defense now) so get behind him, we will only realize what we have when he is not here.
Seniors
I can’t thank enough the seniors. Bituli, Warrior, Calloway, Taylor and last but definitely not least Juan Jennings for not balling out this season after BYU (I hate to think where we would be after a 2-10 season). But they have set the standard for the next generation to build (no mention of bricks please) on. You will always be revered as Vols for Life.
Next Generation
For me this was probably the most pleasing part about the Gator Bowl and that was, whilst the turnaround this season has been amazing the cornerstone was built on the performances of the Seniors, so my nagging concern was what happens next season when they are not here? No need to worry because this win was also due to:
Guarantano and Bailey – Guts and protential
Palmer – twice as many catches as Calloway and JJ combined. Breakout season awaits
To`o To`o – outplayed Bituli which I didn’t think was possible
Gray – As mentioned above he is the No 1 back now
Morris, Wright and Kennedy will be team leaders on and off the field
Defensive Line – Respect to everybody
Defensive Backs – McCullough, Taylor and Thompson
Freshmen – who knows, except there will be a half a dozen that will contribute
THE FUTURES BRIGHT, THE FUTURES, ORANGE
This team literally does not know its beaten. And I will always remember those 3 seconds whilst I was processing what the on-side kick meant in relation to the match, I never ever considered it. But that’s why I watch the match from my television instead of having the coaches headphones on.
Quarterback
Another week another swing of fortunes for Guarantano as he goes back to being erratic, various throws were too high and he seemed to keep forcing the ball into double coverage whilst not checking down to wide open options. Maurer then demonstrates that whilst he has a gunslinger mentality, he is far too risky as his record of 2 touchdowns to 5 picks is proof. Then Guarantano comes back to help save the day again. I will never again critisice him but he is not the answer if we want to be a 10 – 2 or better team and other than the transfer portal (Burrow, Hurts and Fields were not so shabby) our hopes next season, although unfairly, lay with Harrison Bailey if we wish to make the next step
Running Back
In this game I was disappointed that the Offensive Line did not open many holes although Treys block was like “Moses and the Red Sea” for the go-ahead touchdown.
Eric Gray proved that Vanderbilt was no one off and he will, health permitting, take the first snap on September 5. He is what I thought Chandler would be this season and whilst Ty has not had a bad season, he just hasn’t been able to “break one” like Eric can do and with Jordan only a solid back up its Eric Gray from here. I hope he will improve his pass blocking though.
Wide Receivers
Given the poor accuracy of the passing, this group was pretty faultless. Keyton showed a glimpse for next season but that throw was still underthrown and Calloway needed the band conductors step ladders for his only catch. However, Josh Palmer quietly had another good game and I fully expect him to be the go-to guy in 2020.
Offensive Line
As mentioned, I was disappointed in the O Line only because I now rate this line that has plenty of potential. It should still be pointed out that although Guarantano has problems with checking down and has a slow release which makes him prone to being sacked and I think that only happened once. But the big holes were just not there. Great news about Kennedy returning and the two tackles have now taken their lumps as freshmen, so with only possibly needing to replace Trey next season at worse, this area will be a strength next season
Defensive Line
When the season awards are handed out, two things are clear, no Tackle will win and the D Line is the one of the main reasons why we have turned this season and the program around. Remember at the start of the season we lost the whole line and the projected starters were Gooden, Solomon and Savion Williams. Well it turned out that Emerson, Solomon, Middleton, Garland, Butler, Mincey and Bumphus shut down dangerous running backs week after week and this week Indiana managed a massive 2.50 yards per rush. Whop got - yards, yes minus, and their quarterback was running to survive all afternoon. Hats off to the coaches for coaching up the Line. And the cherry on the cake is that ALL of them return with Omari Thomas Dominic Bailey and Tyler Baron also on the way.
Linebackers
My actual favorite part of the team this year Bituli has been a monster, To’o To’o just gets better every week and he will be an All American before he leaves to play on Sundays. Taylor is again the best pass rusher in the SEC. Kivon is so frustratingly a half step away from flashy stats and Crouch is a talent that will blossom whilst he is here.
Defensive Backs
Whilst all eyes were on Warrior, it was Tank McCullough that has his “coming out party” and if Lawrence is as good as suggested, then the safety spots are a lock for the foreseeable future. It was very noticeable how Ramsey was taking so long to pass when he had the second-best passing stats in the Big 10 and that can only lead me into believing that the Corners were in lock down mood on Thursday. With both Taylor and Thompson back next year as Juniors, we are set here as well.
Special Teams
Cimaglia is also Automaglia and Brooks seems to knock the kick offs out the endzone for fun. I would say though I prefer Doyle on punts and I will not miss Calloway letting punts bounce. But overall in the 11 years of supporting the Vols I have yet to know a bad Special Teams year so I am probably complacent.
Coaching
After Dooley and Jones how can you not love what these coaches are doing. Just look at player development all over the pitch. Look how the players are so “brought in” to the cause which has meant winning a number of easily losable games. The recruiting and player evaluation are as good as it can be considering the win record. Jeremy Pruitt is THE man (look at Alabama defense now) so get behind him, we will only realize what we have when he is not here.
Seniors
I can’t thank enough the seniors. Bituli, Warrior, Calloway, Taylor and last but definitely not least Juan Jennings for not balling out this season after BYU (I hate to think where we would be after a 2-10 season). But they have set the standard for the next generation to build (no mention of bricks please) on. You will always be revered as Vols for Life.
Next Generation
For me this was probably the most pleasing part about the Gator Bowl and that was, whilst the turnaround this season has been amazing the cornerstone was built on the performances of the Seniors, so my nagging concern was what happens next season when they are not here? No need to worry because this win was also due to:
Guarantano and Bailey – Guts and protential
Palmer – twice as many catches as Calloway and JJ combined. Breakout season awaits
To`o To`o – outplayed Bituli which I didn’t think was possible
Gray – As mentioned above he is the No 1 back now
Morris, Wright and Kennedy will be team leaders on and off the field
Defensive Line – Respect to everybody
Defensive Backs – McCullough, Taylor and Thompson
Freshmen – who knows, except there will be a half a dozen that will contribute
THE FUTURES BRIGHT, THE FUTURES, ORANGE
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