Ah, the morning after

#1
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nashvillevolunteer

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#1
Given the rest of the day to soak up what happened, here are a few points I would like to make (give it an unbiased look please):

1) The weather favored a Big Ten style of game (see Arkansas). The wet field would not let fast teams use speed as a weapon. The slipping and sliding definitely was not good for us.
2) Penn State planned the game to expose Tennessee's weakness, especially no run game and no pass rush.
3) Per #2, the complete lack of pass rush made their mediocre QB look very good. I was very surprised that we did not blitz more.
4) Penn State fed off of Antwan Stewart in the pass game. Also, they used hook routes the whole game to get separation and Chavis did not make an adjustment for that in the second half.
5) Hardesty and Foster are not SEC backs, currently. I agree with some other posters that Foster should take on a FB roll similar to Fleming in the past. Hardesty may just need to go through another Spring practice. He seems to have the intangibles, just not the head.
6) We got outcoached. Plain and simple. The Penn State game plan was far superior.
7) A complete lack of discipline. It almost looked like one of those "And 1" street basketball teams out there. Everyone knew Penn State was not the most talented team, but they have so much respect for the coach and the program, they play with discipline.

Your thoughts.
 
#2
#2
I think the Foster criticism has been a little much - even though it's understandable. He actually ran pretty well yesterday.
 
#4
#4
On the outcoached thought, (not disagreeing) but why did they not give it back to Hunt inside the 5 instead of twice to the fullback?
 
#5
#5
volmanjr said:
On the outcoached thought, (not disagreeing) but why did they not give it back to Hunt inside the 5 instead of twice to the fullback?
Click to expand...

It's that marvelous PSU offensive coordinator. He has done this stuff all season long - reminiscent to me of Randy Sanders.
 
#6
#6
Penn State is one of the most discplined teams in the nation year in and out. I don't know enough about JoePa to know if he's the type that demands respect or just gets it because he's JoePa but that kind of discipline is something I'd love to see in the Tennessee program.

From some clips Ive seen I think Cutcliffe demands that respect I'm not to sure about Fulmer.
 
#7
#7
Also I agree that Foster needs to be a FB if he doesn't want to do that he can be the 3rd stringer.
 
#8
#8
Foster ran well yesterday(when he could hold on to the ball) which is something hardesty can't do, he dances so much we r lucky if he gets back to the line of scrimmage
 
#9
#9
We looked about how I thought we would. Average and very beatable. Over the past 8 years we have fallen off from a top ten to maybe a top 25 program. And once again we will probably sneak in the top 25 in the final AP voting. Lack of talent development? Poor planning and coaching? Players not playing to thier abilty? Bad Luck? whatever it may be we have fallen off as a "top tier" program year in and out. Not matter what the issue, what we are doing is not working and some kind of change is needed in a bad way. Either in actual new coaches or a new stratagey.
 
#10
#10
I was also perplexed by our lack of blitzing. I figured it had to be out of respect for their rushing game - which we had a hard time stopping even when we knew it was coming.

We were definitely outcoached. They exploited our every weakness. That combined with a 3-0 turnover deficit was all she wrote.
 
#11
#11
Adjustment during a game are something the fans do when the cable frizzes out. Just ask UT's coaches.
 
#12
#12
GAVol said:
I think the Foster criticism has been a little much - even though it's understandable. He actually ran pretty well yesterday.
Click to expand...
he fumbled the game away. Our defense was holding their offense. We score, we hold, we win.
 
#13
#13
nashvillevolunteer said:
Given the rest of the day to soak up what happened, here are a few points I would like to make (give it an unbiased look please):

1) The weather favored a Big Ten style of game (see Arkansas). The wet field would not let fast teams use speed as a weapon. The slipping and sliding definitely was not good for us.
2) Penn State planned the game to expose Tennessee's weakness, especially no run game and no pass rush.
3) Per #2, the complete lack of pass rush made their mediocre QB look very good. I was very surprised that we did not blitz more.
4) Penn State fed off of Antwan Stewart in the pass game. Also, they used hook routes the whole game to get separation and Chavis did not make an adjustment for that in the second half.
5) Hardesty and Foster are not SEC backs, currently. I agree with some other posters that Foster should take on a FB roll similar to Fleming in the past. Hardesty may just need to go through another Spring practice. He seems to have the intangibles, just not the head.
6) We got outcoached. Plain and simple. The Penn State game plan was far superior.
7) A complete lack of discipline. It almost looked like one of those "And 1" street basketball teams out there. Everyone knew Penn State was not the most talented team, but they have so much respect for the coach and the program, they play with discipline.

Your thoughts.
Click to expand...
1. can't blame the weather.
2. was this really that much of a surprise? we hadn't been great against the run, nor could we run the ball with any consistency all season.
3. lack of pass rush can be traced to the fact that our front seven can't get push. If we have to commit 7-8 guys to get a pass rush a lot, then we open up the passing game. having said that, even when we dropped in to coverage, they still made the completions...i would have at least liked to see Morelli have to get up off the ground a few times.
4. Stewart was bad. no arguement there.
5. Foster ran pretty good, his two fumbles will be what is remembered, but he ran the ball better yesterday than he had in quite some time.
6. no arguement there. we were out coached, that was evident.
7. eh...we were not ver disciplined and played poorly. respect for the coach angle though? i'll just put this with #6 and say we got out coached, plain and simple.
 
#14
#14
It always seem like we are playing not to lose instead of trying to win. We were just lucky Penn ST didn't run it up on us like in the past.
 
#16
#16
You forgot:

1. Ainge STARES down his receivers and telegraphs.

2. Ainge does not plant his feet properly--throws off balance.
 
#17
#17
nashvillevolunteer said:
Given the rest of the day to soak up what happened, here are a few points I would like to make (give it an unbiased look please):

1) The weather favored a Big Ten style of game (see Arkansas). The wet field would not let fast teams use speed as a weapon. The slipping and sliding definitely was not good for us.
2) Penn State planned the game to expose Tennessee's weakness, especially no run game and no pass rush.
3) Per #2, the complete lack of pass rush made their mediocre QB look very good. I was very surprised that we did not blitz more.

off of Antwan Stewart in the pass game. Also, they used hook routes the whole game to get separation and Chavis did not make an adjustment for that in the second half.
5) Hardesty and Foster are not SEC backs, currently. I agree with some other posters that Foster should take on a FB roll similar to Fleming in the past. Hardesty may just need to go through another Spring practice. He seems to have the intangibles, just not the head.
6) We got outcoached. Plain and simple. The Penn State game plan was far superior.
7) A complete lack of discipline. It almost looked like one of those "And 1" street basketball teams out there. Everyone knew Penn State was not the most talented team, but they have so much respect for the coach and the program, they play with discipline.

Your thoughts.
Click to expand...

1: I can agree with a few of your thoughts but seeing it up close and witnessing the weather first hand I don't believe it gave PS or the Vols any advantage
Advantage here=PUSH

2: Our run game was adequate at the half. Actually we had a one yard lead at the half, all be it because of Coker's run. They did a real good job of sealing down on our ends with their slot man while rolling the QB out on the side, thus eliminating any pass rush we could have had.
AdvantagePennState.

3: We did blitz but as mentioned above, they rolled away from it. You didn't see their QB setting in the pocket many times at all. They only had one sack on us so that advantage is a PUSH

4: I assure you we have 3 backs that are SEC Running backs, I agree Hardesty does too much left and right running and doesn't hit the gaps and use his cutbacks as Coker and Foster do. That will come I assure you. Foster will never be used as a FB he doesn't need to be. He is a very capable RB and had several nice cuts after hitting the hole. He just needs to carry the ball higher which will allow for better control and thus not fumble so often. To be fair to him the last fumble was the one he did not have it secure. The first fumble, he was to close to Swain to pitch (as was designed) he should have handed it back off not pitch. Foster, Coker and Hardesty will be fine with a some fundamental work. We are blesses to have 3 running backs who can carry the load needed in the SEC.

4: You are 100% correct here but not like you seem to say as far as coaching at the game. What I saw was a team which had NO (zero) enthusiasm, from the first player who hit the field in pre game. I'm not sure what CPF used as his motivation for practice. He said it was going to be and was run tight just like it was in Dallas 2 years ago. If it was, it didn't work this time. So what I saw was PS coaches had their players wanting and we were playing like it was just some game outside of the SEC which didn't mean anything. Coaches can't be blamed for the 3 turn overs which were the demise of the VOLS but:
AdvantagePennState

5: It was a very tight bend but don't break on both sides. We had moments where we had them on the ropes and they us. I saw 2 very well matched teams out there Monday, it all came down to one fatal turnover and when that happened the wind left the VOLS. I did think we showed a lot of heart on the goal line stand where PS had to settle for the field goal. I don’t believe the discipline card can be played in this game.
AdvantagePennState (only because of one fumble)

The Vols were there this year we played on New Years Day so that is a step a giant step over last year.
 
#18
#18
While this was not a 'classic' Penn State team, I don't think it was as bad as people were making it out to be. Our four losses came to schools with a combined 4 losses between them (ND 2, Wisconson 1, Michigan 1 (now 2) and Ohio State 0). Also, we played Ohio State as well as anyone besides Michigan... It was a 14-6 game with 3 minutes left until 2 ill-advised passes were returned for TDs.

It was a fairly even game except for the turnovers. It many ways the teams have a lot in common: traditional powers experience (for them) down years (that for many schools would be very good seasons).

Best wishes to the Vols for a successful 2007.
 
#19
#19
nashvillevolunteer said:
Given the rest of the day to soak up what happened, here are a few points I would like to make (give it an unbiased look please):

1) The weather favored a Big Ten style of game (see Arkansas). The wet field would not let fast teams use speed as a weapon. The slipping and sliding definitely was not good for us.
2) Penn State planned the game to expose Tennessee's weakness, especially no run game and no pass rush.
3) Per #2, the complete lack of pass rush made their mediocre QB look very good. I was very surprised that we did not blitz more.
4) Penn State fed off of Antwan Stewart in the pass game. Also, they used hook routes the whole game to get separation and Chavis did not make an adjustment for that in the second half.
5) Hardesty and Foster are not SEC backs, currently. I agree with some other posters that Foster should take on a FB roll similar to Fleming in the past. Hardesty may just need to go through another Spring practice. He seems to have the intangibles, just not the head.
6) We got outcoached. Plain and simple. The Penn State game plan was far superior.
7) A complete lack of discipline. It almost looked like one of those "And 1" street basketball teams out there. Everyone knew Penn State was not the most talented team, but they have so much respect for the coach and the program, they play with discipline.

Your thoughts.
Click to expand...
By far the best analysis I've seen or hers so far. Great job nashvillevol
 
#20
#20
nashvillevolunteer said:
Given the rest of the day to soak up what happened, here are a few points I would like to make (give it an unbiased look please):

1) The weather favored a Big Ten style of game (see Arkansas). The wet field would not let fast teams use speed as a weapon. The slipping and sliding definitely was not good for us.
2) Penn State planned the game to expose Tennessee's weakness, especially no run game and no pass rush.
3) Per #2, the complete lack of pass rush made their mediocre QB look very good. I was very surprised that we did not blitz more.
4) Penn State fed off of Antwan Stewart in the pass game. Also, they used hook routes the whole game to get separation and Chavis did not make an adjustment for that in the second half.
5) Hardesty and Foster are not SEC backs, currently. I agree with some other posters that Foster should take on a FB roll similar to Fleming in the past. Hardesty may just need to go through another Spring practice. He seems to have the intangibles, just not the head.
6) We got outcoached. Plain and simple. The Penn State game plan was far superior.
7) A complete lack of discipline. It almost looked like one of those "And 1" street basketball teams out there. Everyone knew Penn State was not the most talented team, but they have so much respect for the coach and the program, they play with discipline.

Your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Did you really expect anything else?:banghead2:
 
#22
#22
GAVol said:
To those complaining about 2nd half defensive adjustment . . . The defense gave up 3 points in the 2nd half.
Click to expand...

The defense didn't play awesome, but definitely played well enough for us to win.
 
#23
#23
GAVol said:
To those complaining about 2nd half defensive adjustment . . . The defense gave up 3 points in the 2nd half.
Click to expand...

Those three points came on a back breaking drive that sealed the game for PSU. How many turnovers did our D contribute to the effort with their arm tackling and log rolling tackling techniques?

Marvin Mitchell and Turk played well, though. They will be missed next year.
 
#24
#24
Ooltewah Vol said:

5: It was a very tight bend but don't break on both sides. We had moments where we had them on the ropes and they us. I saw 2 very well matched teams out there Monday, it all came down to one fatal turnover and when that happened the wind left the VOLS. I did think we showed a lot of heart on the goal line stand where PS had to settle for the field goal. I don’t believe the discipline card can be played in this game.
AdvantagePennState (only because of one fumble)

The Vols were there this year we played on New Years Day so that is a step a giant step over last year.
Click to expand...


Thank you for this balanced, sensible, comment.
 
#25
#25
The one thing that struck me the most while at the game was the PSU fans. They blew us out of the water. Their student section was loud and animated. We sat with a number of the PSU alumni and they were up and cheering for their team while some of the UT alums were complaining that we did not sit down fast enough. When the rain started after the fumble return the Volunteer fans started leaving in droves. IN a game that close the fans CAN help the team to get fired up! Those of us at the game certainly did not give our all for Tennessee! Sad.
 
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