London Vol
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This week I thought I would write about the match and how I saw the team play, so I called this View from Big Ben.
IT REALLY WAS A GRAY DAY
Quarterback B –
After the previous weeks performances, this week was not so good. Midway through the 1st quarter the Box Score said Guarantano had more interceptions than completed yards. Now if you knew that before the start you would have concluded that here was another Saturday where your blood pressure would probably double. But to his credit and not for the first time this season, he bounced back, with a fine TD to DWA and two critical passes to Calloway and Jennings to effectively close out the match. Also, if you read this Jarret, I’m very sorry to hear of your personal loss.
Running Back A +
Well that was easy. All Eric Grey did was turn up for the match 3rd on the Depth Chart, not enter the match until near the end of the 1st quarter and then run for 246 yards breaking a number of all-time records. Also, I noticed a difference yesterday, whilst you could see his ability this season in his fleeting appearances, I felt he tended to dance around a lot looking for the opening to appear, well this is not High school but the SEC. This time it was hit the hole, one or max two cuts and turn on the afterburners. That is the result. If he has an ok bowl game it will make the offseason discussion with Chandler and Jordan (both fine players in their own right) very interesting who will start in the fall..
Wide Receiver B
No triple hundred games this week but as they say “if the quarterback doesn’t throw it to you, you can’t catch it”. When in the 4th quarter they had to deliver they did. I think next year we will be fine with Gibbs, Keyton and a breakout star in Palmer but I will miss this unit.
Offensive Line A
63% of Greys yards came from three blocks from Trey Smith (there will be 30 to 30 episode on this legend) but others such as Carvin also excelled. Another revealing stat is that Guarantano was not sacked (I would like to know the total sacks for 2017, 2018 and 2019 then the improvement will be clear). Even if Trey decides to play on Sundays next season, we still have 4 of this line back and others like Calbert, Lampley, Johnson and Johnson to back up, next season is going to be good up front.
Defensive Line A
They were excellent, Vandy would have struggled to get 200 yards if it wasn’t for one drive in the 4th quarter. Neal was hassled all day; the running game was pretty well shut down again. But the real surprise was who were these linemen? Answer, Garland, Middleton, Mincey, Butler and Bumphus.At the start of the season the D line was predicted as Solomon, Gooden, Savion Williams. The point I make is it was the back-ups who now do it. This shows that a great system with great coaches are in now in place.
Linebackers B
The unit was really solid (do you write anything different for Bituli and To’o To’o?).
Taylor, Bennett, Harrison and Crouch all hassled the quarterback but they only get a B as there were no flashy stats.
Secondary B
Very similar to the Linebackers and whilst I was impressed with Alonte for some solid coverage, he was greedy going for the INT thus allowing the late touchdown. Sure, going to miss Warrior but hopefully Tank can step up and Lawrence could be one of the freshmen contributors next season.
Special Teams B
Apart from Paxton kicking better, it was a very non eventful day for this lot although there was one dumb penalty following a punt.
Coaches B +
Another good game plan and bringing in Grey was a masterpiece. The defense continues to swarm to the ball, this is now a common feature and reminisant of the Alabama defense a couple of years ago (if you ever doubted Pruitt’s influence, then just look at Alabamas defense now and with all those stars, makes you wonder if Butch Jones is anywhere near the place?). But the most credit to the coaches is the work they have put in all year to develop so many fringe players as highlighted in the Defensive Line.
Bonus A
As a result of the end of season run, we now go bowling, whilst it’s the cherry on the top of the cake for the fans, far more importantly it is another 15 practices for the coaches to develop the players for next season, please do not overlook how useful this will be.
GO VOLS
IT REALLY WAS A GRAY DAY
Quarterback B –
After the previous weeks performances, this week was not so good. Midway through the 1st quarter the Box Score said Guarantano had more interceptions than completed yards. Now if you knew that before the start you would have concluded that here was another Saturday where your blood pressure would probably double. But to his credit and not for the first time this season, he bounced back, with a fine TD to DWA and two critical passes to Calloway and Jennings to effectively close out the match. Also, if you read this Jarret, I’m very sorry to hear of your personal loss.
Running Back A +
Well that was easy. All Eric Grey did was turn up for the match 3rd on the Depth Chart, not enter the match until near the end of the 1st quarter and then run for 246 yards breaking a number of all-time records. Also, I noticed a difference yesterday, whilst you could see his ability this season in his fleeting appearances, I felt he tended to dance around a lot looking for the opening to appear, well this is not High school but the SEC. This time it was hit the hole, one or max two cuts and turn on the afterburners. That is the result. If he has an ok bowl game it will make the offseason discussion with Chandler and Jordan (both fine players in their own right) very interesting who will start in the fall..
Wide Receiver B
No triple hundred games this week but as they say “if the quarterback doesn’t throw it to you, you can’t catch it”. When in the 4th quarter they had to deliver they did. I think next year we will be fine with Gibbs, Keyton and a breakout star in Palmer but I will miss this unit.
Offensive Line A
63% of Greys yards came from three blocks from Trey Smith (there will be 30 to 30 episode on this legend) but others such as Carvin also excelled. Another revealing stat is that Guarantano was not sacked (I would like to know the total sacks for 2017, 2018 and 2019 then the improvement will be clear). Even if Trey decides to play on Sundays next season, we still have 4 of this line back and others like Calbert, Lampley, Johnson and Johnson to back up, next season is going to be good up front.
Defensive Line A
They were excellent, Vandy would have struggled to get 200 yards if it wasn’t for one drive in the 4th quarter. Neal was hassled all day; the running game was pretty well shut down again. But the real surprise was who were these linemen? Answer, Garland, Middleton, Mincey, Butler and Bumphus.At the start of the season the D line was predicted as Solomon, Gooden, Savion Williams. The point I make is it was the back-ups who now do it. This shows that a great system with great coaches are in now in place.
Linebackers B
The unit was really solid (do you write anything different for Bituli and To’o To’o?).
Taylor, Bennett, Harrison and Crouch all hassled the quarterback but they only get a B as there were no flashy stats.
Secondary B
Very similar to the Linebackers and whilst I was impressed with Alonte for some solid coverage, he was greedy going for the INT thus allowing the late touchdown. Sure, going to miss Warrior but hopefully Tank can step up and Lawrence could be one of the freshmen contributors next season.
Special Teams B
Apart from Paxton kicking better, it was a very non eventful day for this lot although there was one dumb penalty following a punt.
Coaches B +
Another good game plan and bringing in Grey was a masterpiece. The defense continues to swarm to the ball, this is now a common feature and reminisant of the Alabama defense a couple of years ago (if you ever doubted Pruitt’s influence, then just look at Alabamas defense now and with all those stars, makes you wonder if Butch Jones is anywhere near the place?). But the most credit to the coaches is the work they have put in all year to develop so many fringe players as highlighted in the Defensive Line.
Bonus A
As a result of the end of season run, we now go bowling, whilst it’s the cherry on the top of the cake for the fans, far more importantly it is another 15 practices for the coaches to develop the players for next season, please do not overlook how useful this will be.
GO VOLS
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